By Arte Reed, Nebraska Contributor
It is that time of year when Millard West and Mitchell finally debut their competition seasons. Valley, Lincoln Southwest, and Grand Island are all a couple of steps ahead of them in the season, but will that affect the results? Omaha Westside hosts Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota choirs that will compete for the gold.
Prep Division
Millard West "Swing Cats"
Lincoln Southwest "Ambience"
Grand Island "Future Image"
Valley "Ignition"
It is hard to say how this division will play out. Swing Cats typically place in the top three, but this is their first competition against Lincoln Southwest and Valley, who have already gained prep championships at previous competitions this season. Future Image placed second last weekend at Hastings, finishing right behind Norris. They could beat Millard West since they are just starting up. Ignition is a strong prep group from West Des Moines, Iowa, beating Urbandale Vitality and Ankeny Centennial Eternal Rush at Waukee a couple of weeks ago. All groups here will battle it out for that top spot as prep champion.
Womens Division
Mercy "Treblemakers"
Marian "Momentum"
Grand Island "Sweet Revelation"
Millard West "Uptown"
This lineup is one of the smallest womens divisions in Nebraska. Mercy and Marian are both private all-girl schools located in Omaha. Both groups will compete against each other for a on the podium. Sweet Revelation will have a second chance this weekend to place in the top three and will battle it out with both Mercy and Marian. Uptown is one of the best womens groups in Nebraska and is likely to place first. Who knows what could happen, as there could be a surprise from any of the other three groups.
Mixed Division
Bellevue East "Take II"
Valley "Choralation"
Millard West "West in the Groove"
Lincoln Southwest "Resonance"
Grand Island "Ultimate Image"
Mitchell "Friend de Coup"
A group from Lincoln? Check. A group from Grand Island? Check. A group from Omaha? Check. Two groups from out of state? Check and check! What a variety of contenders coming from the north and east adjacent states to Nebraska. Mitchell officially debuts with Nic Caberos as their new director. Millard West is finally in the competition and is looking to get the gold. Bellevue East is also debuting with new directors David Groth and Carly Fox, who are taking the reins of that program.
Lincoln Southwest has already competed three times and is coming in with two grand champions and a second-place finish. They were able to top Gretna and Waukee Northwest, two well-established groups that are hard opponents to beat nowadays. Who's next on their list to beat? Millard West, Valley, and Mitchell. Grand Island is coming in with a third place from Hastings, which is not a bad start to the season. They will be a group to watch out for - UI could upset any of these groups. Valley is where it gets interesting. Choralation shocked many at Waukee, when they beat Urbandale in prelims and finals. The last time Choralation beat Studio was back in 2015. All groups here should watch out for them, as they could turn the tide and beat anyone.
Final Predictions
GC: Millard West "West in the Groove" (BV)
1RU: Lincoln Southwest "Resonance" (BC)
2RU: Mitchell "Friend de Coup" (BB)
3RU: Valley "Choralation"
4RU: Grand Island "Ultimate Image"
5RU: Millard West "Uptown"
With such a wide variety of contenders, the competition could go anywhere. Millard West, Lincoln Southwest, and Mitchell are, based on prior records, the three groups to beat here. Valley has a pathway to be up there with how they performed at Waukee. Grand Island is doing alright so far, so they could place higher than expected. Uptown has made finals at least once for each of the past 11 seasons and has a good shot at extending that streak here. A Bellevue East finals appearance would be a signature achievement for the new directors there, upsetting a prep group from a top program.
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