chealion313

If they could ever find a solution to that guard, that corps would be top three every year.

I totally agree with all of this. Not quite getting why CV's guard was scored so low, though. I had them right up there with Hurcs and Fusion--any of the three could have won guard last night. CV's sabre book is awesome and they perform the hell out of it.

Recap is up.

Looking forward to the recaps...it was hard to pick a guard winner tonight between Hurcs, Fusion and Atlanta CV...

I think C2's guard is where their age limit restrictions become a problem. I understand why they do it, but in essence, it is hurting them. In all three years of the corps' existence, that guard is young, probably mostly high school kids. Not saying these kids don't have talent, because I'm sure they do, but when you look at the other corps they're competing against, all the local "stars" in this area all flock to Bucs, Cabs, and now Fusion. It would be more of a help to C2's guard if they had some more experienced people marching. Again..I understand their reasoning, but it's been a glaring problem for three years now.

C2's drill wasn't finished, but I expect that once they fill some of the holes they have and finish the show, they'll be right up there with everyone else.

Sure, I'll do it! Unfortunately, based on what I've seen the last few seasons, my opinions don't quite match with the judges--I've seen too many guards that I think are much better than what their score reflects! I do, however, agree with Jeremy that it's a shame that a guard who finishes 61st will get a gold medal, while the guard who finishes 60th gets nothing. Of course, with SA being the hardest class to even make finals in, it'll be a nice opportunity for the kids whose guards don't stand a chance to make finals to have something else to strive for if they're in the AA class.

I've only been to one show so far (South Brunswick regional prelims) and haven't done the Fan Network because it's way too expensive this year, but the shows that stand out in my mind from yesterday: West Orange--such a beautiful show, so well written. Somervillle St. Ann's--what little divas! Delazure--My favorite show that they've ever done. Emanon--Definitely expecting them to crack the top 10 in Dayton. First Flight--such a cool idea they have this year, just hoping they can fix some of their 'technical' issues with the floors.

That's what I love about Black Watch, and probably why they were the fan favorites at the regional...it's just straight, pure color guard. You don't have to sit there afterwards, scratching your head, saying "what was that about?" It's accessible to the fans, it's fun, and it's exciting.

Loving Alter Ego, Emanon and Somerville so far!

Absolutely loved Annapolis. Even though I didn't get a chance to play tourist, there are so many things in the area to do and see. Felt totally safe wherever you went (unlike Rochester, where I was afraid to leave my hotel at times) and all of the locals were so friendly and welcoming. The people working the concessions were the nicest people anyone could experience, as were the stadium staff. Seating was great, concessions were affordable, restrooms were easily accessible, and the stadium grounds were beautiful. Only negative was the kamikaze bugs flying around in the stadium--I was clocked in the head more than once by those.

I agree with you about the global warming thing...we've always had periods of extreme heat every summer, but the storms have gotten worse and worse, not just heavy rains, but thunder, lightning and heavy winds. That's why having the roof comes in handy, because you just never know.

I think '88 may have been the extreme heat year for Kansas City--the midwest was having a drought, the temperatures were over 100 every day, and I'm pretty sure DCI had actually put out a rule that no one could rehearse outside between 11-3. I remember doing sectionals at midnight and it was still 99 degrees out.

As much as people like to argue the climate change issue, the last few years and all of the freaky storms we've had is proof of it, not just in Indy, but all over the country. Mother Nature was a little different years ago, now, no matter where Finals would've been held, you just never know what would happen weather-wise. I've only had the chance to go to Finals in Indy once, but with it being in the high 90s and humid outside the day I was there, the roof and the air conditioning were well appreciated.

Stadium is just a few blocks from my apartment as well...love being able to walk to a show.

There's a book at Barnes & Noble called When the Stars Go Blue, it's a romance novel written by a woman who had marched Florida Wave...the storyline is about a fictional all-male corps in Florida, and seems based on Madison's Carmen year, with a girl dancer. It's a young adult book, but it was still entertaining.

Saw Black Watch tonight live for the first time--trust me, the Fan Network video doesn't do that show justice--it's terrific.

I was told their featured performer was injured during warmups, which would have left them with five members on the floor...the guard stuck together and went to the hospital with him.

Thanks for the tip...got right on!

Can't get on the site at all.

New Jersey also had six finalists overall...now considering the size of the state--pretty impressive!

My favorite memory of Dayton was just how well the Northeast was represented in finals, particularly from the MAIN and TIA circuits, with Cpex, Delazure and Co-Motion in IA, Mineola in SA; South Brunswick and Passaic in SO, Field of View in IO; Trumbull in SW, and all three IW guards from New Jersey--Emanon, Black Watch and Alter Ego, making finals. What a great weekend for all of them!

Aww, a special shout out! We love you, Michael!!

Saying Onyx, Opus 10 and Beatrix should not have been in finals is ridiculous. Onyx and Opus 10 may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but what both of them do, they do extremely well. As for Beatrix, you should've sat down low for their performance--those members put everything they had into their show, and played the part extremely well. They may have not had the best run at finals, but their prelims and semis performances were terrific. They totally belonged there.

I thought the same thing, but then I also thought that it could've been part of their 'art'....I noticed a few girls smiling as they received their medals, but the rest seemed to be pouting. I guess only they know whether it was part of their show, or whether they were really displeased.