FEDS 201 started in 1998, and since that time we have won 12 awards in the FIRST Robotics Competition and many more in the Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association (OCCRA).
In 1998, we were one of the great surprises at the FIRST Great Lakes Regional. Our rookie team became known as the “Featherweight in the Finals” as ours was the lightest robot to make it to the elimination rounds. We came close to winning the regional, but lost in the final round. Thanks to the generosity of a few veteran teams we ended going to the Nationals and did fairly well.
In 1999, the game changed to incorporate 2v2 alliances. The RHS team obtained its first major corporate sponsor, EDS, and with it, a new team name. The only year we had the number 251, 1999 was good for the FEDS, but relatively uneventful.
A year later, the FEDS came back with a vengeance. Back with our original number, 201, and a new sponsorship from Visteon, the team came on strong. We captured the #1 seed and regional championship with an undefeated performance at the Great Lakes Regional and placed 9th overall at Nationals. On top of that, our talented animation team received a Compelling Creativity award for their exciting and original entry. That fall, the FEDS hosted the first-ever OCCRA tournament, placed 2nd at all three regional competitions, and took 2nd place in the 2000 OCCRA finals. The FEDS also won numerous judged awards that season.
Winter 2001 brought yet another change to the FIRST game, one that provided a major challenge to our team. It was a difficult Season, but its challenges presented opportunities for the team to learn new strategies and techniques. In the end, it energized the team to make a better showing the next year.
Following the disappointing 2001 season, in 2002 the FEDS emerged older, wiser, and stronger than ever. In a must-win situation to qualify for the National Championship at Epcot Center, we entered the Buckeye Regional ready to take on the world. We emerged with our second regional champion trophy in three years. After qualifying for nationals, we went on to take 3rd at the Midwest Regional, finished the season with a 5th place National award, and earned an Einstein Division Finalist award.
The 2003 FIRST season was exciting for the FEDS. After incredibly close matches at the Great Lakes and Midwest regional, we traveled to Houston, Texas for the Championship Event. The team rallied to a 2nd seed and won the Division Finalist title in the Archimedes Division. Once again we held the 5th place in the country.
