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First, for those wondering, WDC predictions won't start until the qualifiers begin. Right now there hasn't been enough competitions for it to be accurate.
High School drill season is now in full swing (for most schools), so now it's time to start breaking down how NHSDTC solos will turn out. A few soloists hae come out strong, and a few have had up and down performances. So with that said, who makes the medal round? A short list: Nathan Gill - A strong outing in his first solo competition has solidified this choice. Defeating both Chris Scanlan and 7th Place NHSDTC Soloist from 2016 Cody Doyle is no easy feat, and Gill managed it in both the medal and prelim rounds of the latest RCDC. Medal Round solo at RCDC. Noah Calvert - Just from watching his ODC routines, the improvement in routine building has improved dramatically. And most can agree routine construction is why he barely missed out on medal round this past go-round in Daytona. Still by only 2 points. And I doubt he's forgotten that. DWU ODC 15 solo. Ian Medina - Haven't seen much actual drill from him this season, but from sources close to Ian, I hear he's only become even more of a beast. Extremely excited to see what he throws down. Cooper Donlin - Already has a placement at NHSDTC, so he's proven himself on the national stage. Don't be surprised at another podium for Cooper. Medal Round solo at NHSDTC 2016. Jackson Rainwater - Has yet to beat Nathan Gill, the other soloist from Seneca High School, but also beat Cody Doyle and Chris Scanlan at the latest RCDC. The question is which Rainwater will show up? The one that placed 2nd at RCDC, or the one that placed 8th at the Lincoln Guard Winter Classic? Medal Round solo at RCDC. Vincent Delao - Strong, powerful, intense. 1st Place at the Lincoln Guard Winter Classic, and although he started wearing down at the end, he did his solo immediately after a beautiful tandem that also came in 1st. Edgar Cana - Defending Mid-Valley AF Regional Champion. 4th Place Lincoln Guard Winter Classic behind Vincent, and two other ormer NHSDTC medalists. Beat me by one point (my water tastes kinda salty I don't know why?). I've seen sequences he hasn't used in competition yet, and oh boy, ready yourselves. Carlo Lucena - Has one medal round under his belt, and now knows better than to try something he's never tried before in the medal round. Classic Hawaiian style drill. AFA Drill Meet. There will be a couple soloists from competing schools, such as John Jay, that make it. And of course there will be a few competitors that just show up and make medals out of no where; Justin Fulk for example. Here's a hint though, if you want to be a strong driller, train with Don Dunning. There's four Lincoln Guard members on this list. One name that isn't there yet, but has a chance depending on how much he progesses; Landon Childers. Keep an eye on this one. *Note: Jason Hodge removed from drillers to watch from August due to not planning on competing in Daytona. |
