Thousands of fans filled the Georgia Dome tonight to watch the top 12 Division I drum corps compete head-to-head against each other at the Coltrin & Associates DCI Southeastern Championships in Atlanta, Ga. The top seven corps have been switching positions the entire season, but the Blue Devils (88.475) came out on top at tonight's show with the Cadets (88.150) and the Cavaliers (88.125) very closely behind. Phantom Regiment (86.500) and Bluecoats (85.250) took the fourth and fifth place spots, and for the first time this season, Carolina Crown (84.650) edged ahead the Santa Clara Vanguard (84.450).

Interview with Jim Coates, Carolina Crown's Program Coordinator.

The Boston Crusaders (80.525) also pulled ahead of the Blue Knights (79.850), the Colts (77.900) climbed into tenth place, and the Glassmen (74.900) and Spirit from Jacksonville State University (74.025) finished out the top 12. These powerhouse performances had fans giving countless standing ovations throughout the night, and tonight's champion, the Blue Devils, promise they are not done yet. "We still have a whole new ending to go on the show. That comes in about a week or so," said Scott Johnson, the Blue Devils' percussion caption head. "We're going to start learning it this week, but we're not going to put it in until we can refine it a lot. It's certainly going to be in the show by World Championships though." These 12 corps will now go their separate ways across the United States, and will meet up again on July 21 in San Antonio, Texas for the DCI San Antonio Southwestern Championship. View the complete scoring recap. Find more information on DCI San Antonio, The Southwestern Championship.