Columbia City Cup Preview

By A.J. Prentice and Justin Ternet, Fort Wayne Contributors

Columbia City, the region's youngest competition, is the last stop for many groups headed for ISSMA State. Additionally, as one of the region’s two ISSMA competitions in Northeast Indiana, the area's small groups will have one final face off before state finals.

Lineup

Small Unisex

East Noble “Premiere Edition”

Wawasee “Warrior Soundscapes”

Fairfield “Expressions”

Jay County “Just Treble”

Huntington North “Viking Volume”

Large Unisex

Avon “Attraction”

Small Mixed

Burris Laboratory “Parliament Sound”

East Noble “Knight Rhythms”

DeKalb “Classic Connection”

Lakeland “Vocal Motion”

Churubusco “New Era”

Fairfield “Fusion”

Jay County “Patriot Edition”

Huntington North “Varsity Singers”

Large Mixed

Avon “Accents”

Contenders

Unisex

Avon “Attraction”

By far the largest group in competition, and with a win record unmatched by any other group in attendance, this competition will be a fight for second place, though crazier things have happened.

Huntington North “Viking Volume”

Viking Volume has proven unable to keep up with the best large groups this year. Huntington North, however, did beat Jay County Just Treble at Homestead prelims after placing behind them at North Royalton. Second place is going to be a toss-up between these two.

Jay County “Just Treble”

Last week, Jay County made finals by half a point at Churubusco; however, they’ve been consistently strong in the unisex division, placing top three at every competition other than Homestead where they competed as a large group.

Mixed

Avon “Accents”

Once again, the undefeated Indy giant realistically doesn’t face any real competition here. After a season of sweeps, it’s unlikely any small group will take this win, although Huntington North bested Avon last year at DeKalb.

DeKalb “Classic Connection”

DeKalb started the season strong with a grand championship against New Castle and Edgewood at Ball State; however, as the season progressed, they have seen tougher competition that they haven’t been able to keep up with, which resulted in their first finals miss of the season last week.

Churubusco “New Era”

Churubusco surprised a lot of people at the start of the season, pulling off a grand championship at North Royalton and beating Jay County consistently throughout the season. While they did slip at Carroll, they haven’t let that happen since. During Huntington North prelims, they even tied for second with Homestead and outplaced large Illinois group Manteno Magic.

Jay County “Patriot Edition”

Jay County has consistently trailed right behind Churubusco. While they did manage to beat a few large groups last weekend, this is their last shot to end the season with a win against a group they’ve so far been unable to beat this season.

Huntington North “Varsity Singers”

With wins against Northrop and Northridge, Huntington North has been able to hold on to a top spot in Fort Wayne; however, their results doesn’t match up to Avon’s. This week they will likely be fighting with everyone else for second place.

Predictions

Since both Fort Wayne Writers are hosting or competing at this event, predictions are provided by Indianapolis writer Nathan Ensley.

Mixed

GC: Avon "Accents" (BV/BC)

1RU: Huntington North "Varsity Singers"

2RU: DeKalb "Classic Connection"

3RU: Churubusco "New Era"

4RU: Jay County "Patriot Edition"

5RU: Fairfield "Fusion"

Large Unisex

GC: Avon Attraction (BV/BC)

Small Unisex

GC: Jay County Just Treble (BV)

1RU: Huntington North “Viking Volume” (BC)

2RU: East Noble “Premiere Edition”

3RU: Fairfield “Expressions”

4RU: Wawasee “Warrior Soundscapes”