Without the pressures of an impending Bag Day (a deadline for all teams to have finished their robots by), the Dolphins were able to bypass many of their typical first-event-issues and have a strong performance at the Del Mar Regional. With a record of 6-3-0, the Dolphins ended qualification matches in sixth place. Much to the team’s delight, the second seed alliance captains, the Striking Vikings, invited the Dolphins and the W.A.R. Lords to join their playoffs alliance. The alliance worked seamlessly and efficiently in the quarterfinals, resulting in a 2-0 victory. After losing the first match of the semifinals, the alliance partners reviewed and reworked their strategy to accommodate their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. This adaptation granted the alliance two consecutive wins, propelling them into the finals. Finals Match 1 went smoothly, awarding the Dolphins and their partners with a 1-0 lead in the series. The opposing alliance performed incredibly well in the second match, tying the series at 1-1. Neither alliance held back in the tie-breaker match, and as the teams looked up at the final score, nobody could believe their eyes. The Dolphins had lost by a one point margin, 147-148. After a moment of despair and disappointment, the Dolphins and their partners realized how proud they were to have been able to make it all the way to a tie-breaker in the finals. As the two alliances left the field, they both showed the true spirit of Gracious Professionalism as mentors and students from both sides congratulated and praised one another on their accomplishments. The ingenious Power Cell tracking system designed by lead programmer Conor O’Brien was recognized by the judges, and as a result, the team was awarded with the Innovation in Control Award, sponsored by Rockwell Automation.