Illinois State S.O. Finals

From: LeRoy C Cordes <lcordes_at_juno.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 11:01:06 -0500

Helped Bob Warmann run the state finals along with John Brayton. The
site was the wonderful Category III site located in the University of
Illinois Armory in Champaign, IL. I don't have the actual final results
yet but unless I'm mistaken the top three times were;
5:13 + for Jenna Brayton - Crystal Lake
5:05 + for Jason Holman - Prospect
4:52 + for Greg Hahn (sp?) - Rolling Meadows
All these times were plus 15 points for ribbon drop.

Jenna's flight was particularly memorable as she was the second to last
flyer and put up her 1st flight in the high 4 minutes. Watching her wind
puts me in mind of what I have read about the "Old Masters" winding
techniques - don't think I would have the patience. She finally had her
2nd flight in the air and it really looked great if she didn't touch any
of the hanging obstructions. The plane drifted from one side of the
field to the other and back and finally touched down at 5:13 +. I
thought her dad John, who incidentally, was a nervous spectator
throughout the whole thing, was going to have a heart attack. I remarked
to John that it was great to see that he made no attempts to influence or
coach Jenna, as some others tried. His answer, in the inimitable "father
speak", was something to the effect of "Why bother, she doesn't listen to
me anyhow". A real capper to a really nice day.

As an "old goat" I find it particularly refreshing and uplifting to see
all these S.O. kids giving it their best - makes me think that there may
be help for this planet after we're gone, in spite of us.

If anyone is interested I think I will have a copy of the Wright Stuff
results in a day or so.

LeRoy Cordes
In Downstate Illinois
Received on Sun Apr 30 2006 - 09:11:06 CEST