Because someone is hounding me on getting predictions up for this competition. *cough*JONATHON*cough*.
Competitions this early in the year usually don't mean much other than who is ready this early. A group could be looking great in January but not get any better. Another group could be mediocre here and end up being one of the best groups in the nation at the end of the year. So keep that in mind.
Anyway. The top four here should be Omaha Westside, LaCrosse Central, Hastings, and Linn-Mar.
Westside is one of the most experienced choirs in the nation this year. The vast majority of their group is made of seniors who are fantastic and know show choir.
LaCrosse Central is a mystery to me other than what I've seen on youtube/SCC over the years. But they were very strong last year. I am not sure what they lost but I don't expect them to drop terribly much.
Hastings has really sprung onto the scene the past few years and I don't think they'll fall much anytime soon. I did hear they might be a little more inexperienced than past years but I think they will overcome it.
Linn-Mar always starts out the season very well. (Top three finish here the past three years).
The last two spots will be battled for between four other groups:
Cedar Rapids Xavier, Johnston, Milton Choralation, and Cedar Rapids Prairie.
Xavier, much like Hastings, has really come on the scene in the past few years. I don't really expect them to be a major grand championship group, but still a fantastic choir.
Johnston last year didn't impress me much. They were good. Very good. But they were just that: good. Nothing special, nothing great. Just a clean, good show. I'm hoping they add an extra spark this year but without it, they will be a 2ru-4ru group again.
Milton and Cedar Rapids Prairie might make a case for 5RU ahead of one of the above groups. These two are groups that aren't consistent but show flashes of something great. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if they step up and make finals.
So. Back to the competition.
I think there are three sets of possible placements.
Set 1 - GC/1RU: Westside and LaCrosse Central. I think these two groups will battle it out for the top spot.
Set 2 - 2RU/3RU: Linn-Mar and Hastings. Both are great groups but I think between inexperience and an early January competition, they will struggle to overcome the hump.
Set 3 - Johnston and Cedar Rapids Xavier. These two groups could finish higher or even lower. They're complete question marks for me. They've been great in recent years but I honestly don't know which way they will go from last years shows. Up or down or about the same. I'm excited to see though!
So where do I personally believe each group will finish?
GC: Omaha Westside
1RU: LaCrosse Central
2RU: Linn-Mar
3RU: Hastings
4RU: Johnston
5RU: Cedar Rapids Xavier
I just can't get past Westsides experience. I really expect greatness from the senior-filled group. Also the fact that I don't know much about GCS other than they were super awesome last year kinda helped ATSC on my predictions.
My one source about Hastings having a younger group is my reason for putting them this low. I don't even know how credible my source is to be honest but I'm going with it. That and Linn-Mar always does well early on in the season.
I put Johnston over Xavier because Xavier didn't really wow much last year outside of Waukee. Johnston last year was on the brink of great but just fell a little short. I think Johnston will climb over that hump this year.
I could really see this competition going a million different ways other than my predictions but with it being so early and no real facts on any group other than history these are what I have. I'm probably going to be waaaaaaaaaay wrong but hey. Thats what predictions are for.
Thank you for reading my book about Viterbo. I am at work, it is almost 5AM, and this wasted a good 20 minutes.
I think the 3some before the break (Prairie, Johnston, Milton) will be the groups duking it out for that last finals spot. Like I said before this is a stacked competition and it's going to be anyone's game. Two great performances are needed to place well at this competition. Reminds me of 09. Exciting!
I would agree with that. This competition can go so many different ways, it's impossible to even predict top 6.
I think the 3some before the break (Prairie, Johnston, Milton) will be the groups duking it out for that last finals spot. Like I said before this is a stacked competition and it's going to be anyone's game. Two great performances are needed to place well at this competition. Reminds me of 09. Exciting!
Shameless promoting, but don't base Johnston off of last year-Whatever that may mean to any individual- We replaced 34 of our 46 members. It's a whole new ballgame this year, for everyone, not just Johnston.
Predicts
GC: Hastings
1RU: Linn Mar
2RU: ATSC or GCS or Inno
3RU :ATSC or GCS or Inno
4RU: ATSC or GCS or Inno
5RU: Xavier
This is really just random, I think those will be the top 6, I have no clue of the order. I know last time Johnston was at Viterbo, we went from 5RU in the day show to 1RU in finals. It'll all depend on who's ready first, and who's the most ready.
This will be a seriously fun competition.
That sounded SUPER Self promoting... My Bad.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL GROUPS IN ATTENDANCE!!!!!! Finals will remain a mystery until they read that list on January 7th. Break Legs!
Shameless promoting, but don't base Johnston off of last year-Whatever that may mean to any individual- We replaced 34 of our 46 members. It's a whole new ballgame this year, for everyone, not just Johnston.
Predicts
GC: Hastings
1RU: Linn Mar
2RU: ATSC or GCS or Inno
3RU :ATSC or GCS or Inno
4RU: ATSC or GCS or Inno
5RU: Xavier
This is really just random, I think those will be the top 6, I have no clue of the order. I know last time Johnston was at Viterbo, we went from 5RU in the day show to 1RU in finals. It'll all depend on who's ready first, and who's the most ready.
I was at this one last year so this will be built off of what I saw here last year and what I've heard this year
GC: Omaha Westside(BV and would get BB if they were eligible)
1 RU: GCS
2 RU: Linn Mar
3 RU: Hastings(heard they graduated a big class from last year)
4 RU: Johnston
5 RU: Xavier(would be higher but hear they, like Hastings, graduated a large class
I heard that ATSC returned almost 30 of their 46 singers and dancers and they were great last year so they will definatly be a group to watch here to possibly even get BC. even though they are not a choreo centered group.
GCS is always competitive where ever they go
Linn Mar was competitive here last year taking 2 RU behind Hastings(BC,BV) and ATSC(who had BB taken away because they had an adult in the band)
Xavier has won this competition in the past.
Prarie could also end up making their way into finals but it is gonna be extremely difficult for any of these groups because any of the top 6 could win it.
THIS IS JUST MY OPINION AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN OFFENSIVELY BY ANY GROUP BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS ONLY ME SAYING IT. THIS POST IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM REFLECTS THE OPINION OF ANY GROUP WHETHER IT BE IN THE MIDWEST OR ONE OF THE COASTS. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE HERE AS THEY COMPETE. I hate having to put this disclaimer but sadly most people dont respect the opinions of others and always think that they are attacking others groups.
Sorry I meant the respective prep groups previous season to anticipate how the varsity will be . With the high-level competition I'm not expecting a prep group to steal a spot. But I'm with you on last years In-Step.
I find it interesting that Hastings is not in there somewhere given the success from last year. Curious on what information you know about last years prep results.
And because I can't edit, I know In Step was 1st and Protege was 2nd. I remember seeing In Step at night and was blown away with how they looked and sounded, and Protege went on to have a very good year too. It will be a good competition with the prep groups
I find it interesting that Hastings is not in there somewhere given the success from last year. Curious on what information you know about last years prep results.
I am sure it was a pure oversight on Hastings because they tend to do VERY well here at Viterbo and are a good show choir. I would personally have them in finals but remember this is a very deep competition and anything can happen especially with none of the groups having competed yet!
Besides maybe 2010 (when Esser wasn't at La Crosse Central) I don't believe GCS has EVER lost to Linn-Mar or Omaha Westside. Not saying it can't happen. Just bringing up some history.
I find it interesting that Hastings is not in there somewhere given the success from last year. Curious on what information you know about last years prep results.
Viterbo 101 2012
I'm so excited for this road trip.
