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Finals Analysis The Medalists Blue Devils won its 19th championship. Bluecoats won silver for the second time (2014). Santa Clara Vanguard won its ninth bronze medal. The Top 6 Carolina Crown narrowed the gap to the medalist spots to just 0.037 points to come in fourth place for the second year in a row followed by The Cavaliers and Boston Crusaders to complete the same Top 6 for the third straight year. The Top 12 Mandarins repeated its first finalist finish from 2018 by ending in 10th place again in 2019. The entire Top 12 consists of the same corps for two years in a row. Largest Changes from 2018 -8 - Vanguard Cadets (18th to 26th) +6 - Pacific Crest (20th to 14th) and Spartans (25th to 19th) +5 - Legends (26th to 21st), Jersey Surf (30th to 25th), Southwind (34th to 29th), and Vessel (39th to 34th) -5 - Blue Devils B (19th to 24th)

August 10 Run-Down And then it was over. Blue Devils won its 19th championship by (I believe) the second smallest margin of victory ever over Bluecoats. Despite the close battles for 1st, 3rd, and 11th, there were no placement changes at Finals. Several corps had their highest placements ever at Lucas Oil Stadium: #1 Blue Devils (previous #1 in 2017, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009) #8 Blue Stars (previous #8 in 2018, 2010, 2009) #10 Mandarins (previous #10 in 2018) #19 Spartans (previous #23 in 2015) #20 Genesis (previous #22 in 2015) #21 Legends (previous #22 in 2017) #22 Gold (previous #23 in 2018) #26 Louisiana Stars (previous #28 in 2017) #27 Southwind (previous #31 in 2017) #28 River City Rhythm (previous #31 in 2015) #29 Guardians (previous #29 in 2018) #31 Golden Empire (previous #34 in 2018) #32 Shadow (previous #35 in 2016) #34 Les Stentors (previous #34 in 2012 and 2013) #36 Heat Wave (previous #39 in 2018) Several corps had their lowest placements ever at Lucas Oil Stadium: #9 The Cadets (previous #7 in 2018 and 2017) #12 Phantom Regiment (previous #11 in 2018) #17 Madison Scouts (previous #16 in 2018) #18 Troopers (previous #18 in 2012)

Semifinals Analysis The Medalists Blue Devils won for the first time in a full World Class show, edging Bluecoats by 0.150 points. This remains the closest battle of the past three years and the only one where two corps split the first place slot on Thursday and Friday. In fact, it's the first time in three years that one corps did not win every single regional and lead at the mid-season point. It is also the closest race for the bronze medal in three years with Carolina Crown still trailing Santa Clara Vanguard by 0.300 points. The back and forth between Bluecoats and Blue Devils also slowed the score increases a bit as 2019 is the only year in the past three where no corps broke 98 at Semis. The Top 6 This grouping has been very interesting this year due to penalties incurred by The Cavaliers on Thursday and Boston Crusaders on Friday. Even without considering the Semifinals penalty, The Cavaliers opened up a pretty good spread. There does not appear to be much movement here other than the Carolina Crown-Santa Clara Vanguard race at the top of the group. The Top 12 Crossmen moved ahead of Phantom Regiment to take the #11 spot. This is the second year in a row in which Phantom Regiment lost a spot from Prelims to Semis. Should the placements hold, this will be Phantom Regiment's lowest placement since making finals for the first time in 1973. Mandarins pulled to within 0.400 points of The Cadets for the #9 spot. Whether The Cadets finish 9th or 10th, it will be the corps' lowest placement since 1980. Spreads suggest there probably aren't any other opportunities for movement tonight. Largest Changes from 2018 -8 - Vanguard Cadets (18th to 26th) +6 - Pacific Crest (20th to 14th) and Spartans (25th to 19th) +5 - Legends (26th to 21st), Jersey Surf (30th to 25th), Southwind (34th to 29th), and Vessel (39th to 34th) -5 - Blue Devils B (19th to 24th) The Battles Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 12 as of Semis: 0.150 points - #1 Blue Devils over #2 Bluecoats -- Exciting to have this at the top. 0.300 points - #3 Santa Clara Vanguard over #4 Carolina Crown -- And then to have the second closest race for the bronze! 0.362 points - #9 The Cadets over #10 Mandarins -- Mandarins would have its highest placement ever. 0.450 points - #11 Crossmen over #12 Phantom Regiment -- Flip-flopped at Semis. Can Phantom get back? 0.788 points - #6 Boston Crusaders over #7 Blue Knights -- Without the penalty, this is not nearly as close. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Prelims: 0.025 points - #5 The Cavaliers over #6 Boston Crusaders -- Penalty aside, will the image of this margin help propel Boston back up into 5th? 0.025 points - #14 Pacific Crest over #15 The Academy -- Pacific Crest is poised for its highest placement ever. 0.100 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- The one everyone is watching. 0.212 points - #11 Phantom Regiment over #12 Crossmen -- Phantom Regiment has clawed its way up all season. 0.300 points - #3 Santa Clara Vanguard over #4 Carolina Crown -- Will the defending champions hold onto its medalist spot? Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Allentown: 0.050 points - #3 Carolina Crown over #4 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Vanguard has not lost head-to-head to Crown this season. 0.075 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- This has been in the top battles all season long. 0.150 points - #8 Blue Stars over #9 The Cadets -- The Cadets have been fighting back with this group. 0.225 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- This is clearly where the attention will be in Indy. 0.288 points - #14 Colts over #15 Pacific Crest -- Pacific Crest wasn't even in the Top 15 before Allentown and is now threatening to go higher. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Atlanta: 0.000 points - #14 The Academy & #14 Colts -- Tied after trading the #14 spot mid-season vs. San Antonio 0.062 points - #5 Boston Crusaders over #6 The Cavaliers -- This wasn't even one of the top 5 closest races in San Antonio. 0.125 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- Most attention is here especially after the Murfreesboro flip. 0.262 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- Blue Stars have been consistent in their fight for this spot. 0.388 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Still hanging out for an all-out race to Indy. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of San Antonio: 0.200 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- How exciting to have the closest spread at the top! 0.300 points - #10 Mandarins over #11 Crossmen -- The corps have traded wins so this makes sense. 0.325 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- Bad news for The Cadets to see these two corps battling it out for 7th place. 0.350 points - #4 Carolina Crown over #5 Boston Crusaders -- These corps have also had some back and forth throughout the season. 0.538 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Would generate a lot of excitement to see this stay tight. No 2018 Top 15 Allentown analysis in this area due to rainouts wreaking havoc on statistics. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2017 Top 12 and what happened as of Semis: 0.162 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Bluecoats -- Held. 0.375 points - #9 Blue Knights over #10 Mandarins -- Held. 0.475 points - #11 Phantom Regiment over #12 Crossmen -- Held. 0.887 points - #4 Carolina Crown over #5 Boston Crusaders -- Held. 0.962 points - #10 Mandarins over #11 Phantom Regiment -- Held. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2018 Top 15 and what happened as of Prelims: 0.174 points - #5 Boston Crusaders over #6 The Cavaliers -- Held. 0.287 points - #14 The Academy over #15 Colts -- Colts moved up to #14 at Semifinals. 0.350 points - #11 Mandarins over #12 Crossmen -- Held. 0.375 points - #10 Phantom Regiment over #11 Mandarins -- Mandarins moved into 10th by finals. 0.563 points - #9 Blue Knights over #10 Phantom Regiment -- Held. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2017 Top 12 and what happened as of Semis: 0.287 points - #4 Bluecoats over #5 The Cavaliers -- The Cavaliers moved into 4th at Finals. 0.412 points - #1 Blue Devils over #2 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Held. 0.487 points - #10 Blue Stars over #11 Crossmen -- Held. 0.724 points - #7 The Cadets over #8 Blue Knights -- Held. 0.912 points - #9 Phantom Regiment over #10 Blue Stars -- Held. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2017 Top 15 and what happened as of Prelims: 0.125 points - #10 Blue Stars over #11 Crossmen -- Held. 0.362 points - #1 Blue Devils over #2 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Held. 0.375 points - #14 Colts over #15 The Academy -- The Academy moved up to #14 at Semifinals. 0.513 points - #4 Bluecoats over #5 The Cavaliers -- The Cavaliers moved into 4th by finals. 0.637 points - #2 Santa Clara Vanguard over #3 Carolina Crown -- Held.

August 9 Run-Down Blue Devils defeated Bluecoats creating quite a bit of excitement leading into Finals night with the lead flip-flopping from Prelims to Semis. Crossmen also moved ahead of Phantom Regiment for the #11 spot. Outside of the Finals group there were no placement changes, but Pacific Crest charged all the way to within three tenths of Spirit of Atlanta and finished with its highest placement ever at #14. The Open Class champion Spartans finished at #19, one spot lower than last year's Open Class champion Vanguard Cadets. Several corps had their highest placements ever at Lucas Oil Stadium: #19 Spartans (previous #23 in 2015) #20 Genesis (previous #22 in 2015) #21 Legends (previous #22 in 2017) #22 Gold (previous #23 in 2018) #26 Louisiana Stars (previous #28 in 2017) #27 Southwind (previous #31 in 2017) #28 River City Rhythm (previous #31 in 2015) #29 Guardians (previous #29 in 2018) #31 Golden Empire (previous #34 in 2018) #32 Shadow (previous #35 in 2016) #34 Les Stentors (previous #34 in 2012 and 2013) #36 Heat Wave (previous #39 in 2018) Several corps had their lowest placements ever at Lucas Oil Stadium: #17 Madison Scouts (previous #16 in 2018) #18 Troopers (previous #18 in 2012)

The end of an era. posted from the DrumScorps app

Prelims Analysis Note that in 2018, the DCI Eastern Classic Day 1 was rain shortened and corps in the Top 15 did not participate. Asteriks in the graphic at the bottom indicate corps that did not have scores in Allentown in 2018. Most recent pre-Allentown score utilized for this analysis. Note that in 2017, the DCI Southeastern Championship did not include all World Class corps. Asterisks in the graphic at the bottom indicate corps that did not have scores on this Saturday night in 2017. The Medalists The Bluecoats continued its streak of winning all full World Class shows. Santa Clara Vanguard returned to the #3 spot after falling out in Allentown. The spread between 1st and 2nd (0.100) is the closest of the past three years (0.837 in 2018, 0.363 in 2017). This is also the closest race for bronze with Santa Clara Vanguard leading Carolina Crown by 0.300 points compared to 0.950 in 2018 and 1.725 in 2017. Bluecoats hold the highest Prelims score in the past three years at 97.650 compared to 96.800 in 2018 and 97.363 in 2017. The Top 6 Carolina Crown is the closest 4th place corps to 1st place in the past three seasons with a 1.712 margin compared to 2.537 in 2018 and 2.725 in 2017. The entire grouping is also higher than recent years with the 6th place Boston Crusaders out of first by 3.425 compared to 4.112 in 2018 and 4.163 in 2017. The Cavaliers hold the smallest margin lead in the Top 12, leading Boston Crusaders by just 0.025 points. There was a penalty involved here so the actual performance lead was higher. The Top 12 Spirit of Atlanta is 1.913 points out of 12th place so it appears the Top 12 corps are well established this year. In this group, Phantom Regiment moved up over Crossmen at Prelims by a margin of 0.212 points, the tightest in this group. Largest Changes from 2018 -8 - Vanguard Cadets (18th to 26th) +6 - Pacific Crest (20th to 14th) and Spartans (25th to 19th) +5 - Legends (26th to 21st), Jersey Surf (30th to 25th), Southwind (34th to 29th), and Vessel (39th to 34th) -5 - Blue Devils B (19th to 24th) The Battles Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Prelims: 0.025 points - #5 The Cavaliers over #6 Boston Crusaders -- Penalty aside, will the image of this margin help propel Boston back up into 5th? 0.025 points - #14 Pacific Crest over #15 The Academy -- Pacific Crest is poised for its highest placement ever. 0.100 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- The one everyone is watching. 0.212 points - #11 Phantom Regiment over #12 Crossmen -- Phantom Regiment has clawed its way up all season. 0.300 points - #3 Santa Clara Vanguard over #4 Carolina Crown -- Will the defending champions hold onto its medalist spot? Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Allentown: 0.050 points - #3 Carolina Crown over #4 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Vanguard has not lost head-to-head to Crown this season. 0.075 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- This has been in the top battles all season long. 0.150 points - #8 Blue Stars over #9 The Cadets -- The Cadets have been fighting back with this group. 0.225 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- This is clearly where the attention will be in Indy. 0.288 points - #14 Colts over #15 Pacific Crest -- Pacific Crest wasn't even in the Top 15 before Allentown and is now threatening to go higher. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Atlanta: 0.000 points - #14 The Academy & #14 Colts -- Tied after trading the #14 spot mid-season vs. San Antonio 0.062 points - #5 Boston Crusaders over #6 The Cavaliers -- This wasn't even one of the top 5 closest races in San Antonio. 0.125 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- Most attention is here especially after the Murfreesboro flip. 0.262 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- Blue Stars have been consistent in their fight for this spot. 0.388 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Still hanging out for an all-out race to Indy. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of San Antonio: 0.200 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- How exciting to have the closest spread at the top! 0.300 points - #10 Mandarins over #11 Crossmen -- The corps have traded wins so this makes sense. 0.325 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- Bad news for The Cadets to see these two corps battling it out for 7th place. 0.350 points - #4 Carolina Crown over #5 Boston Crusaders -- These corps have also had some back and forth throughout the season. 0.538 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Would generate a lot of excitement to see this stay tight. No 2018 Top 15 Allentown analysis in this area due to rainouts wreaking havoc on statistics. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2018 Top 15 and what happened as of Prelims: 0.174 points - #5 Boston Crusaders over #6 The Cavaliers -- Held. 0.287 points - #14 The Academy over #15 Colts -- Colts moved up to #14 at Semifinals. 0.350 points - #11 Mandarins over #12 Crossmen -- Held. 0.375 points - #10 Phantom Regiment over #11 Mandarins -- Mandarins moved into 10th by finals. 0.563 points - #9 Blue Knights over #10 Phantom Regiment -- Held. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2017 Top 15 and what happened as of Prelims: 0.125 points - #10 Blue Stars over #11 Crossmen -- Held. 0.362 points - #1 Blue Devils over #2 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Held. 0.375 points - #14 Colts over #15 The Academy -- The Academy moved up to #14 at Semifinals. 0.513 points - #4 Bluecoats over #5 The Cavaliers -- The Cavaliers moved into 4th by finals. 0.637 points - #2 Santa Clara Vanguard over #3 Carolina Crown -- Held.

August 8 Run-Down I sat in Section 140, Row 19 for all 36 competing corps and one exhibition corps. It was a great day of drum corps. Bluecoats held off Blue Devils with a 0.100 point victory. The only change in Top 12 placements from the last all-play in Atlanta was Phantom Regiment moving ahead of Crossmen for the 11th spot. Pacific Crest is surging, up to 14th from 16th in Atlanta and San Antonio. Spartans are in 19th place in the combined scoring and will be joined by Legends, and Gold from Open Class in Semifinals. Seattle Cascades edged out Louisiana Stars by 0.100 points to earn the final spot in Friday night's show. 2019 is the first year under the current model (2011-2019) in which all World Class corps advanced to Semifinals. On a related note, it is the fewest Open Class corps in Semifinals since 2012 when there also three (Blue Devils B, Vanguard Cadets, Spartans). I am going to do an analysis like I have done for each regional in a separate post.

Colt Cadets fans win for most annoying pre show and highest number of people violating copyright recording restrictions at a single time.

I’d have raiders behind both previous corps based on overall show enjoyment. I’m not at all watching for technical proficiency today really, just enjoying overall show.

Oh I know. I’m always in my seat from first corps to last on Prelims day!

Welcome back Les Stentors! posted from the DrumScorps app

Heat Wave started things off. If this is the lowest ranked corps, we are in for a great day! posted from the DrumScorps app

All potential judges are in Indy. They find out the assignments at a judges' dinner tonight.

August 6 Run-Down Spartans won its 6th DCI Open Class championship and first since 2007, tying Vanguard Cadets for the most championships ever in that class. There were three placement changes in the competition. Legends passed Gold for the silver medal; Louisiana Stars passed Southwind for 4th place; and Guardians passed River City Rhythm for 6th place.

August 5 Run-Down Spartans won Open Class Prelims by a 1.375 point margin over Gold with Legends another 0.900 points behind. Raiders edged out Les Stentors by 0.075 points to take the last finalist spot heading into tonight's show. Spartans are ranked 18th overall, the same place after Open Class Prelims that Vanguard Cadets occupied last year. Some notes here (help from dci.org): Gold had its highest ever finish in 2018 when it earned the bronze medal. A silver medal this year would set a new high water mark for the corps. After returning to championship competition in 2017, Southwind has moved quickly to be in a position to finish in 4th place and, if current point spreads held, at World Class semifinals. Louisiana Stars and Shadow are poised to have their best finishes in corps history. Colt Cadets returns to finals for the first time since 2015 and Raiders returns after missing it in 2018. In World Class, Santa Clara Vanguard beat Carolina Crown to maintain the #3 position in head-to-head competition and pulled back within a point of Bluecoats. The Cavaliers barely edged Boston Crusaders by 0.100. Crossmen went from competing with Mandarins for the #10 spot to falling behind Phantom Regiment and slotting into the #12 slot (when only considering head-to-head competition). Jersey Surf moved up over Music City in head-to-head competition as well. It is unclear how much of this will matter when the Indy series begins, but it is interesting to see some changes in spreads and placements in the final day of the regular season.

Update -- Willing to accept best offer. PM me for a phone number. Heading to Indy tonight.

August 4 Run-Down Troopers beat Madison Scouts in head-to-head competition and Blue Knights opened up a bit of a lead over Blue Stars in the first night of post-Allentown, pre-Indy competition. Carolina Crown also closed a bit more of the gap at the top and is only 1.100 behind Bluecoats in head-to-head competition. Tonight we have our final non-championship events. Most of the attention will be in Akron as Carolina Crown and Santa Clara Vanguard meet head-to-head for the first time since Carolina Crown moved ahead in the rankings and both corps work to narrow the gap with the Bluecoats heading into prelims. By score alone, there could even be some excitement in the Santa Clara Vanguard/The Cavaliers match-up. Further down, Mandarins, Crossmen, and Phantom Regiment are all in the show with tight margins throughout the 10-12 range. In Open Class, Spartans head into Prelims as the odds-on favorite. The corps is undefeated and neither Gold nor Legends have been able to mount much of an attack on that lead. These three corps have a solid lead in the medal race. After that, things get extremely tight with Southwind, Louisiana Stars, River City Rhythm, 7th Regiment, and Guardians all within one point. The fight for the last finalist spot should also be tight with four corps (Heat Wave, Raiders, Les Stentors, Colt Cadets) separated by just 0.250 points for the 11th-14th spots.

Allentown Analysis Note that in 2018, the DCI Eastern Classic Day 1 was rain shortened and corps in the Top 15 did not participate. Asteriks in the graphic at the bottom indicate corps that did not have scores in Allentown in 2018. Most recent pre-Allentown score utilized for this analysis. Note that in 2017, the DCI Southeastern Championship did not include all World Class corps. Asterisks in the graphic at the bottom indicate corps that did not have scores on this Saturday night in 2017. The Medalists Remarkably, the Bluecoats keep finding ways to win the big shows as they have now swept the 2019 regionals while losing several times to the Blue Devils between these big shows. For the first time this season, Carolina Crown is in this group with a scant 0.050 point lead over Santa Clara Vanguard. While many will argue that Carolina Crown did not beat Santa Clara Vanguard head-to-head, the Allentown shows are considered one show by Drum Corps International and so I think there is now a fight for the bronze medal spot. In the past week, Santa Clara Vanguard fell from being 0.513 points out of first to 1.587. This changes the argument I made last week that there was a three-way race for the championship. It now appears to be down to just two. This is the closest 1-2 margin after Allentown in the past three years (0.225 in 2019 compared to 1.025 in 2018 and 0.513 in 2017). The bronze medal fight is also extremely tight (0.050 in 2019 compared to 0.212 in 2018 and 1.063 in 2017). The Top 6 All three spots in the 4-6 range are different this week after holding steady at mid-season, San Antonio, and Atlanta. Santa Clara Vanguard dropped to the #4 spot while The Cavaliers passed Boston Crusaders for #5. This year's sixth place corps (Boston Crusaders) is closer to first place (3.200 points) than either of the past two seasons (3.475 in 2018 and 4.325 in 2017). Based on spreads, it seems that Carolina Crown and Santa Clara Vanguard will battle it out for the 3-4 spots while The Cavaliers and Boston Crusaders fight over 5th. The Top 12 There were no changes in the bottom half of the Top 12 from Atlanta to Allentown (or San Antonio to Atlanta for that matter). The spreads are very tight with margins ranging from 0.075 points to 0.750 points, perhaps leaving some room for what has been a very consistent order of placement to jump around in the final week. Given previous ups and downs throughout the season in this grouping, this is certainly a possibility. Spirit of Atlanta did not gain much ground towards a finalist spot finishing 1.300 points out of 12th after being 1.325 points back a week ago. This is the furthest back from the Top 12 for the 13th place corps in the past three years (1.300 in 2008 compared to 0.562 in 2018 and 0.075 in 2017). Largest Changes from 2018 +8 - Jersey Surf (30th to 22nd) +7 - Southwind (34th to 27th) and Spartans (32nd to 25th) -7 - Vanguard Cadets (18th to 25th) +6 - Legends (32nd to 26th) +5 - Heat Wave (42nd to 37th) and Pacific Crest (20th to 15th) -5 - Music City (21st to 26th) and Seattle Cascades (27th to 32nd) The Battles Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Allentown: 0.050 points - #3 Carolina Crown over #4 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Vanguard has not lost head-to-head to Crown this season. 0.075 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- This has been in the top battles all season long. 0.150 points - #8 Blue Stars over #9 The Cadets -- The Cadets have been fighting back with this group. 0.225 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- This is clearly where the attention will be in Indy. 0.288 points - #14 Colts over #15 Pacific Crest -- Pacific Crest wasn't even in the Top 15 before Allentown and is now threatening to go higher. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of Atlanta: 0.000 points - #14 The Academy & #14 Colts -- Tied after trading the #14 spot mid-season vs. San Antonio 0.062 points - #5 Boston Crusaders over #6 The Cavaliers -- This wasn't even one of the top 5 closest races in San Antonio. 0.125 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- Most attention is here especially after the Murfreesboro flip. 0.262 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- Blue Stars have been consistent in their fight for this spot. 0.388 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Still hanging out for an all-out race to Indy. Here are the tightest spreads in the 2019 Top 15 as of San Antonio: 0.200 points - #1 Bluecoats over #2 Blue Devils -- How exciting to have the closest spread at the top! 0.300 points - #10 Mandarins over #11 Crossmen -- The corps have traded wins so this makes sense. 0.325 points - #7 Blue Knights over #8 Blue Stars -- Bad news for The Cadets to see these two corps battling it out for 7th place. 0.350 points - #4 Carolina Crown over #5 Boston Crusaders -- These corps have also had some back and forth throughout the season. 0.538 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Would generate a lot of excitement to see this stay tight. No 2018 Top 15 Allentown analysis in this area due to rainouts wreaking havoc on statistics. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2018 Top 15 and what happened as of Atlanta: 0.050 points - #5 The Cavaliers over #6 Boston Crusaders -- Boston moved into #5 by finals. 0.100 points - #10 Phantom Regiment over #11 Mandarins -- Mandarins moved into #10 by finals. 0.200 points - #1 Santa Clara Vanguard over #2 Blue Devils -- Santa Clara Vanguard held on for the win. 0.325 points - #8 Blue Stars over #9 Blue Knights -- Blue Stars held on to #8. 0.475 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Bluecoats -- Blue Devils held on to #2. Here were the tightest spreads in the 2018 Top 15 and what happened as of San Antonio: 0.163 points - #5 The Cavaliers over #6 Boston Crusaders -- Boston moved into #5 by finals. 0.187 points - #8 Blue Knights over #9 Blue Stars -- Blue Stars moved into #8 by finals. 0.288 points - #9 Blue Stars over #10 Phantom Regiment -- Blue Stars moved up and Phantom Regiment moved down. 0.300 points - #2 Blue Devils over #3 Bluecoats -- Held. 0.363 points - #14 Spirit of Atlanta over #15 Colts -- Both corps moved up over #13 The Academy. And for 2017 San Antonio: 0.200 points - #10 Crossmen over #11 Blue Stars -- Blue Stars moved into #10 by finals. 0.300 points - #12 Mandarins over #13 Madison Scouts -- Madison Scouts moved into #12 by finals. 0.450 points - #2 Santa Clara Vanguard over #3 Carolina Crown -- Held. 0.475 points - #1 Blue Devils over #2 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Held. 0.600 points - #6 Boston Crusaders over #7 The Cadets -- Held. None of this in 2017 Atlanta due to some corps not participating. And for 2017 Allentown: 0.075 points - #13 Mandarins over #14 The Academy -- Held. 0.350 points - #6 Boston Crusaders over #7 The Cadets -- Held. 0.350 points - #10 Blue Stars over #11 Crossmen -- Held. 0.500 points - #9 Phantom Regiment over #10 Blue Stars -- Held. 0.513 points - #1 Blue Devils over #2 Santa Clara Vanguard -- Held.

August 3 Run-Down I will do an Allentown regional analysis later tonight. This is the regular daily run-down. The Cavaliers confirmed its 5th place standing ahead of Boston Crusaders and drew within one point of Carolina Crown. Based on night-to-night scores, this suggests the possibility of a 3-5 grouping instead of a 4-6 grouping for the first time this season. The Cadets held off the Mandarins with a slightly larger margin than in Atlanta and Crossmen gained on Mandarins ever so slightly while expanding its lead over Phantom Regiment. Spirit of Atlanta is essentially the same distance out of finals as it was a week ago and it would take some considerable shifts to make up 1.300 over the next week. In Open Class, we continue to see large point fluctuations and placement changes night to night outside the Top 3. This should make for an exciting Monday and Tuesday of finals week as the corps battle it out without Blue Devils B and Vanguard Cadets. Some of the fight will play out on Thursday as several Open Class corps compete for the final few spots for Friday's show. Seattle Cascades looks to be the only World Class corps not to move on from Thursday to Friday based on current standings.

August 2 Run-Down It looks like we are going to have a real battle for the gold medal this year with Bluecoats back on top of Blue Devils. While the margin remains thin between these two corps, Santa Clara Vanguard fell back and is now more than a point away from the two blue corps. Unless something dramatic happens over the next few days, it appears there is now a clear two-corps competition at the top. Further down Blue Stars are keeping pace with Blue Knights. Genesis made a big jump up towards Troopers and away from Music City. In Open Class, Spartans won a decisive victory over Gold and is the clear favorite for the title with Gold and Legends likely battling it out for the other medalist spots. There is quite a bit of movement within the rest of the Open Class ranks as the various tours come together heading into finals week.

I am selling two Friends of DCI tickets in 541 row 2 for Thursday night only. Face value is $59. Hand delivery in Indy -- I'll be arriving late Tuesday night and we can make it work anytime on Wednesday or Thursday. Price is only $45 per ticket to anyone who promises to watch each Open Class corps perform.

August 1 Run-Down While there were no head-to-head placement changes, there are some interesting changes in spreads. Notably, Boston Crusaders gap with Carolina Crown and Jersey Surf with Music City. Most attention will be on Allentown tonight as the Top 3 line up on night one of the DCI Eastern Championship. Also keep a look at the Open Class show in Iowa as Spartans and Gold compete head-to-head for the first time with potential Open Class champion implications. Golden Empire may be poised for a big jump after not competing since July 20. Last year that gap led to a 7 spot improvement.

I have two tickets in the Friends of DCI section for the first time and would love to swap with someone else so that I can watch each night from a different section. Would be happy to adjust differences in face value as necessary. My tickets are Section 541, Row 2 for each of the 3 nights. I have no interest in going up to the 600s but happy to consider lower.

July 31 Run-Down I was live at the Chester, PA show, normally my favorite venue for watching performances. Unfortunately the decision to move Boston Crusaders, Santa Clara Vanguard, and The Cadets to standstill performance due to "weather" and "natural turf condition" really changed the experience for the negative. Shame. In the Open Class show, scores increased more than usual for a day-to-day to show.

July 31 Run-Down The scores went up much more in one show compared to the other show so it is unlikely that changes in placement will hold once everyone comes back together. No head-to-head placement changes.