Hey Fred,
I remember it as a great season because of the product we produced on the field and the competition presented by the 10th to 15th place corps but I would say that once we started beating finalist corps and showing the possibility of making finals the season changed for the members.
Fred if you recall as a staff member, suddenly we lost free days, laundry days and even practiced between performances and retreats and then again after retreats in the parking lot before leaving for the next show. We were tired and stressed and had no down time and when we ended in 13th by 2 tenths we were heartbroken. It is 20 years later and I remember that season like yesterday.
Al used to always say to us to look in the mirror first and make sure we did everything we could do. We did and fell short and fell hard. I don't regret marching and aging out in 13th because I am hugely proud of the season, friends, product and competition.