On Friday night, Team 501 held tryouts for the 2012 robot drive team. A carpet was laid on the floor to simulate a surface that is similar to the actual FIRST field. The carpet featured a “penalty zone” and several objects that the students had to lightly come in contact with. This helped drivers learn accuracy and helped simulate objects on the competition field. Students were give three practice laps to get used to the field. After the three practice laps we’re completed, a “quiet lap” took place where students were timed on how long it took them to get around the field. Going inside of the penalty zone resulted in deductions during the quiet lap. Once the quiet lap was completed, a “loud lap” was conducted. This was performed to simulate the crowd and noise levels during a match at an actual FIRST competition. The loud lap was important for potential drivers to experience what it is like to actually drive the robot during a competitive match.

Our 2012 robot drive team consists of the following people: Nicole Lyle (GHS Junior), Sam Lewin (GHS Sophomore), and Isaiah Cote (WHS Senior). Nicole will serve as the driver, Sam as the operator, and Isaiah as the human player. In case of emergency, we also selected a backup drive team. The backup drive team will consist of Connor McLellan (GHS Junior), Erin Morrison (WHS Senior), and Jacob Tilton (WHS Freshman). Connor will serve as the backup driver, Erin as the backup operator, and Jacob as the backup human player. You can learn more about our drive team by going to our Current Team Members page. Everyone who tried out for the drive team did a great job and put in a great effort! With ship date only days away, the drive team better start practicing!

Go Team 501
3 days until ship date!

Below is a photo of our 2012 Drive Team and Backup Drive Team

2012 Drive Team

Front Row (from left to right): Sam Lewin, Nicole Lyle, and Isaiah Cote. Back Row (from left to right): Connor McLellan, Erin Morrison, and Jacob Tilton