2016 Toledo Regional



Prelims Results:
(view full recap here)

Class A
1. Crestwood H.S., OH
2. Norwell H.S., IN

Music: Crestwood H.S., OH
Visual: Norwell H.S., IN
GE: Crestwood H.S., OH

Class AA
1. Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI
2. Jenison H.S., MI
3. Nordonia H.S., OH

Music: Jenison H.S., MI
Visual: Jenison H.S., MI
GE: Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI

Class AAA
1. Walled Lake Central H.S., MI
2. Goshen H.S., IN
3. Central Crossing H.S., OH

Music: Walled Lake Central H.S., MI
Visual: (tie) Goshen H.S., IN
& Dublin Coffman H.S., OH
GE: Walled Lake Central H.S., MI

Class AAAA
1. William Mason H.S., OH
2. Plymouth-Canton E.P., MI
3. Rockford H.S., MI

Music: William Mason H.S., OH
Visual: William Mason H.S., OH
GE: William Mason H.S., OH

Finals Results:
(view full recap here)

1. (86.55) William Mason H.S., OH
2. (80.90) Plymouth-Canton E.P., MI
3. (80.20) Rockford HS, MI
4. (79.95) Reeths-Puffer HS, MI
5. (78.70) Walled Lake Central HS, MI
6. (76.20) Lakota West HS, OH
7. (75.85) Kettering-Fairmont HS, OH
8. (74.00) Goshen HS, IN
9. (72.70) Jenison HS, MI
10. (69.35) Central Crossing HS, OH

Music: William Mason H.S., OH
Visual: William Mason H.S., OH
GE: William Mason H.S., OH

Participating Bands (22):
Central Crossing H.S., OH
Crestwood H.S., OH
Dublin Coffman H.S., OH
Eastern H.S., KY
Elkhart Central H.S., IN
Goshen H.S., IN
Jenison H.S., MI
Kettering Fairmont H.S., OH
Kings H.S., OH
Lake Orion H.S., MI
Lakota West H.S., OH
Leo H.S., IN
Nordonia H.S., OH
Norwell H.S., IN
Olentangy H.S., OH
Plymouth-Canton E.P., MI
Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI
Rockford H.S., MI
Stebbins H.S., OH
Walled Lake Central H.S., MI
West Bloomfield H.S., MI
William Mason H.S., OH

Returning 2015 Finalists (6):
1. William Mason H.S., OH
2. Plymouth-Canton E.P., MI
3. Goshen H.S., IN
5. Walled Lake Central H.S., MI
6. Jenison H.S., MI
10. Lake Orion H.S., MI

Previous Champions:
2015: William Mason H.S., OH
2014: Goshen H.S., IN
2013: Lake Central H.S., IN

States Represented (4):
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.
About
The 2016 Toledo Regional was held Oct. 1 at the The University of Toledo. William Mason won the regional champion title again with ease.

A two or three point gap between first and second place is usually viewed as a big win, but Mason's 5.65 point margin of victory is huge. Unsurprisingly, this large gap included every judge scoring Mason in first.

The large gap does make it interesting for Plymouth-Canton. PCEP is a consistent national semifinalist and former national finalist. The gap could mean that Mason is way ahead, that PCEP is way behind, or could just be the typical variability in early-season regionals.

Analysis
Groups from Ohio and four of its bordering states will compete in what looks to be a sneakily competitive regional.

Following a fourth place finish at Grand Nationals, William Mason will likely claim another regional championship title in their home state. Consistently improving, William Mason has been one of the top groups in the country since their first Grand National Finals appearance in 2011.

Behind William Mason are Plymouth-Canton, a band with great history, and Goshen, a band which has emerged into greater prominence recently. We’re giving the edge to Plymouth-Canton, who beat Goshen by .25 when the two went head to head last year at Bowling Green. In fourth is Walled Lake Central, one of the best bands in Michigan, which also competed at Bowling Green and placed fifth.

Rounding out the top half, we have a dark horse in Nordonia. They appear to be on an upward trajectory and their 22nd place finish at St. Louis almost didn’t seem to do their performance justice, as they were very, very impressive in person. The eye test can have its faults, but hopefully this isn’t one of those times.

Next up are Jenison and Reeths-Puffer. Jenison placed sixth at Bowling Green last season and is coming off a strong semifinals appearance at Grand Nats, while Reeths-Puffer made finals at Dayton last season and semis the year before.

The last three spots are a bit of a guessing game, but we’re going with Dublin Coffman, who just barely missed finals at Dayton last year, Lake Orion, who was tenth at Bowling Green, and Lakota West, who will look to replicate the success that Lakota East had last week at Dayton.

Toledo could end up being one of the most entertaining regionals this year, as it boasts the potential for a standout performance at the top, an intense fight for second, jostling for finals spots, and the chance for a dark horse or even a new band to the circuit to make a statement. Get ready for quite the show.

Predictions
Predictions represent the majority opinion of the HornRank staff.
1. William Mason H.S., OH
2. Plymouth-Canton E.P., MI
3. Goshen H.S., IN
4. Walled Lake Central H.S., MI
5. Nordonia H.S., OH
6. Jenison H.S., MI
7. Reeths-Puffer H.S., MI
8. Dublin Coffman H.S., OH
9. Lake Orion H.S., MI
10. Lakota West H.S., OH

Adjudication Panel
Music: Joel Denton, Chris Harris, Steve Meyer, Matt Stratton
Visual: Meghan McCourt, Becca Sullens, Michael Tarr
Chief: Mike Rubino