The BBHS robotics team, 4654 Jellyfish, competed in the First Tech Challenge (FTC) program this winter. The team had their first qualifying match at Albany Academy on January 17th. This qualifier was one of two chances that the Jellyfish had, in order to qualify for regionals in Utica. Out of the twenty two teams who were playing, only three teams were eligible to qualify, raising the stakes tenfold. After working for months designing, building, programming, testing, making a portfolio, and so much more since the start of the year, the team was ready to showcase their skills at their first match of the season.
This year, the challenge that the Jellyfish were competing in was called Decode. The main aim was to gain points by scoring purple and green balls into a team’s respective goal, with more points given if they were scored in a predetermined pattern. Each match is played for two minutes and thirty seconds. The match first dives into a thirty second autonomous game at the start, where robots have to score without being controlled by a driver. Following, is a two minute teleoperational (TeleOp), where drivers are able to control their bots to score.
The day started early for the Jellyfish, with the bus leaving at 5:15 in the morning, and members getting to school as early as five in order to pack everything necessary onto the bus. After a grueling two hour drive, the team made it to the snow-covered grounds of Albany Academy. After getting set up, team Jellyfish was ready to start.
Each FIRST robotics tournament starts off with a judging period, where each team is interviewed and has the opportunity to showcase their team to the judges in order to be considered for awards. Afterwards, the teams can start playing matches. Each match is played with four teams total, two on each side. The matches are sorted into two rounds: the qualifying rounds and the playoffs. In qualifying rounds, teams are assigned partners and opponents. Based upon the results of these matches, teams are given rankings. Finally, the leading six teams get to choose a partner to form an alliance and compete in the playoff matches, a double elimination bracket that determines the winning alliance. However, the teams that actually qualify are determined by ranking points, points awarded to teams for various achievements such as winning the tournament, awards, scores, and more.
The Jellyfish started off the tournament with a successful interview where they were able to introduce their team and robot, Julie (named after Ms. Hensley and the robotics coach, Dr. Kenyon), to the judges. Afterwards, it was time for a quick opening ceremony and then their first qualifying matches. The Jellyfish played five qualifying matches, winning three and losing two. They won their first match 176-113, then lost 70-95, lost 64-103, won 93-67, and won their last match 104-33. Team Jellyfish was able to get ranked into 6th place, allowing them to continue on and choose a partner to play with in the playoff matches. The Jellyfish ended up allying with a team called Electric Mayhem Green. After one loss and two wins, they managed to make it to the semifinals, before losing 40-136 due to mechanical errors that left them unable to score or move properly.
Nonetheless, the Jellyfish were still going strong and had hope. During the award ceremony, they managed to win the sustain award, an award given to teams who show both environmental sustainability and team sustainability. Between their award and the amazing performance by the team during matches, the team had a slight hope of qualification, and were full of anticipation when the qualifying teams were announced. Sadly, the team barely missed the cut by a single place. Although the team wasn’t able to qualify, the Jellyfish ended the Albany qualifier on a high note, proud of their achievements and already formulating a list of what to change and improve for their next qualifier in Peekskill.