It's finals day!!

After a fantastic semi finals performance we had made finals comfortably and lay in joint 10th place with Zydeco. 

Whilst we have already exceeded all our expectations, we still wanted to be sure we had the best run would could and get the best crowd reaction possible.

We had a 2-hour rehearsal booked from 2-4, so a leisurely start to the day and breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

We then headed to the arena and some shopping time for the guard. Rehearsal was right around the corner from the arena, at Dunbar High School, which is a fantastic facility.  Avon High School was rehearsing before us and they got a chance to mingle with Mayflower and we watched and cheered their last run through (they ended in 5th place in scholastic world).

There was calm over Mayflower during our rehearsal and you could tell that the guard is peaking as they were very consistent.  Anthony had just flown in from California, so everyone wad delighted to see him and he was very impressed with how strong, focused and calm everyone was.

So we came to our last run through of 2013 and whilst Cookie wasn't looking, the end box was switched. Cookie was at the top of the bleachers as she watched the best run of the year (thankfully!). As the box was passed to Dan and Emma, they turned it around to reveal "Krystal" on the front of it, they they opened it to reveal "will you marry me?" And from the corner of the gym, Tim walked in and got down on his knee and proposed.  There was not a dry eye  the house, and of course she said "YES"

We were all honoured to play a part in this very special moment and congratulations Cookie and Tim.

So back to the hotel and 3 hours downtime (we would be performing at 9pm) some of us headed out to eat, craving salad and vegetables!

Whilst the guard showered and prepared themselves, Krissie and Rob headed to Walmart to find additional items for retreat. 

We headed over to the arena at 7.15pm. By this point the process is very familiar and everything is running like clockwork, everyone having their job to do.

Let's take you through the journey: at 8.05 we check in and wristbands are checked. We then move towards body warm-ups and whilst waiting to go in, take the time to stretch in the corridor.

Body warm-ups are nice and calm, the same process we have followed all year, ending with a run of the opening movement and as we then transit to the holding area to equip warm ups, the show music is playing and the guard are visualising the perfect run.

Equip warm ups; firstly flags get sometime to do the big show tosses then the weapons.

After our 10 mins there we go outside and move down the tunnel. The same room at the bottom of the tunnel, everyone claims their pieces of floor and final words from the staff. Everyone is extremely calm and excited.  They have a job to do and can't wait to perform to the sell out crowd.

It's show time!  This time we got the entry music exactly right and the crowd was all clapping along to Madness "Our House".  We had a good run in finals with many saying the had their best run of the season, there were a couple of drops but with a show full of risk and jeopardy, it's no surprise!  They received a great crowd reaction and partial standing ovation, and one of the better crowd reactions of the evening. 

The guard got to watch the rest of World finals and then gathered for retreat. It was fantastic coming down the ramp for retreat hearing "Mayflower is a 3 time WGI World finalist". 

Then came time for the scores.  We had tied Zydecco for 10th and thought we might drop to 11th and hoped to stay ahead of Fantasia.  So they started announcing the scores 16th, 15th, 14th 13th, 12th - Fantasia, then 11th Zydecco and in 10th place with a score of 86.2  MAYFLOWER!  We were ecstatic.  Not only the highest score we have ever received in finals but also our highest placement.So that's 2013 in the books and what an amazing year it has been.

So that's it, the last performance of the 2013 season. All that was left was to fold everything away (and throw the floor pieces in the nearest bin!).

More tomorrow.....