Our Plunderbot didn't do enough plundering in 2012. While the robot was capable of scoring full-court baskets, a host of minor issues prevented us from actually trying to score any. Our most serious problem in Denver came from, believe it or not, our bumpers!
By the time we found a bumper arrangement that didn't interfere with our wheel encoders (added at the last minute, for balancing), we were well behind the practice curve. We did shoot some short shots and balanced well, so we had our moments. Best of all, we avoided the field comms problems that beached us the previous year.
The regional results were a bit disappointing for the students, but we know we still fielded one of the best robots there. We finished in 22nd place with a 5-4-2 record in the qualifying rounds but were not selected for the tourney - so we watched court-side as the top alternate.
Our young team of mostly freshmen gained a lot of experience and enthusiasm, leading to greater successes the following year.