2017 Downey Regional


Prelims Results
(View full recap here)

Class AA
1. Covina H.S., CA
2. La Puente H.S., CA
Music: Covina H.S., CA
Visual: Covina H.S., CA
GE: Covina H.S., CA

Class AAA
1. Arroyo H.S., CA
2. Thousand Oaks H.S., CA
3. Carlsbad H.S., CA
Music: Arroyo H.S., CA
Visual: Thousand Oaks H.S., CA
GE: Arroyo H.S., CA

Class AAAA
1. Carmel H.S., IN
2. Ayala H.S., CA
3. Vista Murrieta H.S., CA
Music: Carmel H.S., IN
Visual: Carmel H.S., IN
GE: Carmel H.S., IN

Finals Results
(View full recap here)

1. (91.650) Carmel H.S., IN
2. (89.050) Ayala H.S., CA
3. (87.050) Vista Murrieta H.S., CA
4. (82.400) San Marcos H.S., CA
5. (80.750) Upland H.S., CA
6. (76.700) Warren H.S., CA
7. (76.700) William S. Hart H.S., CA
8. (76.150) Murrieta Valley H.S., CA
9. (75.750) Arroyo H.S., CA
10. (74.200) Corona del Sol H.S., AZ

Music: Carmel H.S., IN
Visual: Carmel H.S., IN
GE: Carmel H.S., IN

Returning 2016 Finalists (4)
1. Vista Murrieta H.S., CA
2. Ayala H.S., CA
5. Desert Vista H.S., AZ
9. Upland H.S., CA

Previous Champions
2016: Vista Murrieta H.S., CA
2015: Ayala H.S., CA
2014: Ayala H.S., CA
2013: Ayala H.S., CA
2012: Ayala H.S., CA

States Represented (4)
Arizona, California, Indiana, and Nevada.

The 2017 Downey, California, Regional will be held Oct. 28 at Warren High School. In 2016, Vista Murrieta won over former Grand National finalist Ayala.

Instead of reading our opinions, try listening to them on the HornRank Podcast:


Analysis
Carmel performs at the Grand National Championships on Nov. 12, 2016, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Carmel will certainly win. The reigning national champion has edged out Avon in two Bands of America competitions so far this season and are in position to possibly earn another national championship in November.

The other two medalists will be Ayala and Vista Murrieta, but it could fall out in either order. The two band’s most recent BOA appearance was last year’s Grand Nats, where VM was first out of finals in 14th place, and Ayala earned 19th place.

Desert Vista and William S. Hart are the two groups most likely to round out the top half. Desert Vista has been a consistent finalist at California regionals for the past five years. Hart can also boast consistent appearances in regional finals, making finals the past two years at the Northern California regionals.

The only other returning finalist is Upland, who dropped to ninth in finals after placing sixth in prelims last year. Just a year prior, in 2015, they finished second at the same event. So far this season, they’ve stayed behind Ayala and Vista Murrieta, but not too far behind to keep them out of a solid finish here. Corona Del Sol also dropped a bit last year, finishing as the first band out of finals.

Murrieta Valley and Thousand Oaks are two groups that have spent quite a few years away from BOA competitions. Murrieta Valley most recently competed at a BOA event in 2012, earning thirteenth at the Glendora Regional. Thousand Oaks made finals at that same event, earning sixth place.

Predictions
1. Carmel H.S., IN
2. Ayala H.S., CA
3. Vista Murrieta H.S., CA
4. Desert Vista H.S., AZ
5. William S. Hart H.S., CA
6. Upland H.S., CA
7. Thousand Oaks H.S., CA
8. Corona del Sol H.S., AZ
9. San Marcos H.S., CA
10. Murrieta Valley H.S., CA

Adjudication Panel
Music: Don Hill, David Orser, Jodie Rhodes, and Ken Snoeck.
Visual: Scott Beck, Tom McNally, and Becca Sullens.
Chief: John Turner.