2017 Golden Regiment Invitational


Prelims Results
(View full recap here)

Class A
1. Macon H.S., MO
2. Trenton H.S., MO
3. Oak Grove H.S., MO
Music: Macon H.S., MO
Visual: Macon H.S., MO
GE: Macon H.S., MO

Class AA
1. Grain Valley H.S., MO
2. Camdenton H.S., MO
3. Blue Valley H.S., KS
4. Blue Valley West H.S., KS
5. Rockwood Summit H.S., MO
Music: Grain Valley H.S., MO
Visual: Grain Valley H.S., MO
GE: Camdenton H.S., MO

Class AAA
1. Bellevue West H.S., NE
2. Lindbergh H.S., MO
3. Wentzville Holt H.S., MO
4. Olathe Northwest H.S., KS
5. Lafayette H.S., MO
Music: Bellevue West H.S., NE
Visual: Bellevue West H.S., NE
GE: Bellevue West H.S., NE

Class AAAA
1. O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
2. Millard North H.S., NE
3. Jefferson City H.S., MO
Music: O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
Visual: O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
GE: O'Fallon Township H.S., IL

Finals Results
(View full recap here)

1. (76.85) O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
2. (73.15) Bellevue West H.S., NE
3. (72.00) Blue Valley West H.S., KS
4. (70.80) Camdenton H.S., MO
5. (70.55) Blue Valley H.S., KS
6. (66.70) Rockwood Summit H.S., MO
7. (66.15) Lindbergh H.S., MO
8. (64.70) Millard West H.S., NE
9. (63.90) Millard North H.S., NE
10. (62.70) Bellevue East H.S., NE
11. (61.90) Wentzville Holt H.S., MO
12. (60.45) Jefferson City H.S., MO

Music: O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
Visual: O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
GE: O'Fallon Township H.S., IL

Returning 2016 Finalists (8)
4. O'Fallon Township H.S., IL
5. Grain Valley H.S., MO
6. Lindbergh H.S., MO
7. Blue Valley West H.S., KS
8. Millard West H.S., NE
9. Jefferson City H.S., MO
10. Millard North H.S., NE
11. Bellevue East H.S., NE

Previous Champions
2016: Union H.S., OK

States Represented (4)
Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas.

The 2017 Golden Regiment Invitational will be held Sept. 30 at Blue Springs High School. In 2016, Union won over strong competition from Bentonville (AR), O'Fallon (IL), and Rosemount (MN).

Analysis
The Golden Regiment Invitational, held at Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Missouri, has been one of the premier marching competitions in the country, and especially the midwest, for some time now. With a lineup that rivals many BOA regionals any given year, we figured it was only fair we treat it accordingly. For the first time, here are our predictions.

Bellevue West (NE) performs at the 2016 St. Louis Super Regional. // Photo by Jeremiah Wooten
Although eight finalists are returning from last year’s competition, none of the top three groups are among them. However, Bellevue West will be in attendance this year, likely creating a dogfight at the top with O’Fallon Township, the fourth place group from last year. We like Bellevue West (although only just) based off their incredible success in the last two years, especially after a shockingly low finish at Grand Nats last year which should only serve as added motivation for this season.

Third place should be taken easily by Grain Valley, fresh off a fantastic 2016 season that saw them get back on track after a disappointing 2015. They performed well at this competition last season and there is no reason to think that will change. Fourth place should go to Camdenton, who was very solid at the Powder Springs regional two weeks ago, placing fourth overall, just 3.55 points behind first place Harrison. In fifth we have Lindbergh, a St. Louis band that consistently places in the top half at this competition each year. If you’ve never seen them perform they are certainly worth a watch, for both their always-impressive sound and their incredibly unique drum major uniforms.

Sixth through ninth will likely be a fight between four groups who were full of surprises. Blue Valley scored well in prelims last year, but opted not to perform in finals. Blue Valley West surprised everyone last year with what may have been the most aesthetically pleasing show to ever grace this competition. Millard West surprised us last year with their impressive sound at this competition and should only be getting better. And Rockwood Summit will be looking to rebound from an underwhelming 2016 season.

Three of Bellevue East, Millard North, Jefferson City, and Wentzville-Holtz should round out the list of finalists. All of these groups except Wentzville-Holt performed here last year, and Wentzville-Holt has shown real growth in St. Louis area competitions over the last couple years. However it plays out, expect one group (or more) to miss finals by a point or less. It’s going to be a close one.