On July 11, 2017, the Sacramento Mandarins scored a 72.300 in Boise, Idaho. On the same date one year later, the corps scored a 78.600 in Johnston, Iowa. 

If that's not impressive, I don't know what is. Considering the corps barely missed finals in 2017 by one spot, Mandarins are right on track to break into DCI World Championship Finals for the first time ever.

Inside The Ink

Mandarins' 2017 season gained attention right out of the gates when the corps was consistently scoring on pace with consistent finalists. Although the corps started on opposite sides of the country, Madison Scouts and Mandarins traded the scoring lead six times throughout the summer.

Unfortunately for Mandarins, their scoring lead ended in San Antonio. This trend continued all the way through finals despite many instances of the two competing in the same locations. At one point, in Birmingham, AL, the two were just 0.10 away from one another—Scouts held strong through to finals, though.

Life Rite After

So far this season, Mandarins have improved their score a massive amount already. The corps started its season in Clovis, CA, on June 22 with a score of 62.950. Its score has gone up 15.65 points already in just 20 days, so with 30 days left in the season, there is plenty of potential for the corps.

Mandarins' recent success materializing into their scores this week can most likely be attributed to the number of rehearsal days they have had since July 2. From July 3-9 the corps had only one performance, its send-off show in Sacramento with a couple of Open Class corps from California.

During a 1,600-mile road trip from California to Sioux City, Iowa (and eventually on to Johnston, Iowa), the corps made a massive jump from 74.100 to 78.400, a 4.300-point increase. The corps also came out on top of Blue Stars by 0.800 in the head-to-head, with the most commanding lead happening in the visual caption. 

The following night, the two faced off once again, but this time the Blue Stars earned the higher score (only by 0.150).

This weekend, the two groups will join some other tight competition in Crossmen, Phantom Regiment, and possibly even Spirit of Atlanta at the 2018 DCI Midwestern Championships. Don't miss a second of the show, streaming LIVE on FloMarching starting at 3:50 PM CT this Sunday, July 15!