The Monday Snitch--March 18
Sydney Tri-Wizard Tournament Results
Recap: No. 17 University of New South Wales (Sydney, NSW) took the March Tri-Wizard Tournament Title, overcoming No. 89 University of West Sydney (Sydney, NSW) 120*-50 in the finals. Both squads dominated the six-team field as New South Wales won all four of their matches outside of snitch range, while West Sydney went 2-2, with both of their wins outside of snitch range, and both of their losses to New South Wales.
University of Technology Sydney (Sydney, NSW) went 2-1 on the day, while University of Newcastle (Newcastle, NSW) and Macquarie University (Sydney, NSW) each won once. University of Wollongong (Wollongong, NSW) went 0-3 on the day.
New South Wales turned in an impressive showing, but given their lofty ranking, this was expected. The showing of West Sydney, and Technology Sydney--an unofficial team-- was impressive, while No. 43 Newcastle disappointed given their ranking.
Rising: West Sydney, Technology Sydney
Falling: Newcastle
Big Apple Quidditch Conference
Recap: Three of New York City's finest quidditch clubs, and Penn State University (University Park, PA), which as far as I know is neither in New York City or New York State, met at Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) for the second attempt at the Big Apple Quidditch Conference Inaugural Tournament. The event was originally scheduled for February, but was postponed due to snow. In addition to the hosts and the visitors from the Mid-Atlantic, No. 49 New York University Nundu (New York, NY) and No. 71 New York Badassilisks (New York, NY) ventured out to Long Island for the tournament.The hosts, ranked No. 10, were the big victors of the tournament, finishing 3-0 with all three of their matches being decided outside of snitch range. In their first match of the day, Hofstra, semifinalists at the Northeast Regional Championship in November, defeated Mid-Atlantic semifinalists No. 25 Penn State, 80-60*. With both teams making it to the semifinals of their respective regions, Hofstra's decisive victory may be indicative of the gap between the two regions.
Following their win over Penn State, Hofstra had no difficulty with NYU or the Badassilisks, beating them 140*-30 and 120*-0, respectively. Penn State also did well in their remaining games, which were highlighted by stellar defense. The visitors from Pennsylvania beat NYU 50*-0 and the Badassilisks 100*-10.
NYU finished the day 1-2, defeating the Badassilisks 60*-20.
All four teams will travel to the World Cup in April, with Hofstra, Penn State, and NYU competing in Division I, while the Badassilisks will feature in Division II.Rising: Hofstra
Falling: Penn State
Grindylow CupRecap: In the Midwest, No. 79 Grand Valley State University (Grand Valley, MI) hosted eight squads from four states for the Grindylow Cup. The event featured three Division I World Cup qualifiers: No. 15 Ball State University (Muncie, IN), and No. 20 Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH). Newly-minted World Cup Division I attendee No. 28 Central Michigan University (Mount Pleasant, MI), who was recently added to Division I and mercenary squad Jetpack Ninja Dinosaurs (Space, The Universe), who feature many players from No. 24 Michigan State University also partook in the Grindylow Cup.
JND captured pool one with a strong 3-0 showing. The famed mercenary squad from days of yore, defeated No. 68 Loyola University of Chicago (Chicago, IL), Central Michigan, and Ball State en route to a 3-0 start. The victory over Ball State, 100*-30, was predictably impressive, as that squad made a run to the Midwest Regional semifinals in November. Ball State was able to rebound with an 80*-10 victory over Central Michigan, and a rout of Loyola.
Bowling Green State had no difficulties in pool two, cruising with a 3-0 record and a +550 point differential. That squad vanquished No. 66 Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI), No. 79 Grand Valley State, and Oakland University (Rochester, MI), with the other three teams finishing in the following order: Eastern Michigan, Grand Valley State, Oakland.
Bracket play took on an unusual structure at this tournament, with the top-seed playing the fifth ranked team, the second seed, facing off against the sixth-place squad, etc. These matchups, however, were altered to avoid teams playing the same team twice.
In the quarterfinals, top seed Bowling Green State won comfortably over sixth-seeded Central Michigan 100*-20, while third-seeded Ball State vanquished Oakland, the bottom seed, 100*-0. No. 2 seed JND squeezed out a 60*-20 victory over the hosts, who entered bracket play as the fifth seed, while Loyola, the seventh seed, upset fourth-seeded Eastern Michigan 90*-80.
Loyola advanced to the finals with JND departing the tournament, to take on Ball State, who were 90*-80 winners over Bowling Green State in the semifinals.
The higher ranked team, No. 15 Ball State, took home the tournament title with a 50*-20 victory in the finals.
Ball State came away as the big winners of this tournament, winning all of their official contests, while the JND squad effectively went undefeated. Loyola also looked good, despite winning just one contest, holding the champions within snitch range in the finals. For Bowling Green, the narrow loss to Ball State is a disappointment. Yes, they did manage a 3-0 record in pool play, and went 4-1 on the day, including a win over No. 28 Central Michigan University, but when push came to shove and they faced Ball State, they couldn't get the job done, despite leading on quaffle points. It might sound a bit harsh for me to bemoan their tournament, when their own failing was in not catching one snitch against Ball State, but such is the nature of our sport, that when two quality teams face off, it often comes down to seeker play. Bowling Green State had ample opportunity to come away with a tournament title just a month prior to the World Cup, and they let it slip through their grasp.
As for the Midwest as a whole: I think Bowling Green State and Ball State illustrate an interesting point about the region. This region may feature more quality teams than any other in the country. I think each of their World Cup qualifiers is a strong team, capable of beating nearly any team in the country on their day. Yet when I look at the region as a whole, I don't think there is any team that is even capable of a final four run, let alone a championship. Of course, who advances depends a lot on matchups at the actual World Cup, but while the Midwest very well may have the most teams that belong in the top-40 of the quidditch world, they also do not have a single team that I would put within my personal top eight.
Rising: Ball State, Loyola Falling: Bowling Green State, Central Michigan