And then there were three. Yes, three events remain in Marble League 2020, and here we’re covering two of them. By math, only one event will be left, the marathon. By then the championship may already be decided, or by then it’ll remain up for grabs. We’ll find out below.

A reminder to the programming notes: before we break down the finale and closing ceremonies, we’ll cover the Marble League Showdown, where the marble teams that didn’t qualify for the Marble League—the eight teams from the qualifiers that didn’t make the Marble League, plus four additional teams we haven’t gotten a chance to cover here at the Rolldown—will duke it out to get in the hunt for next year’s Marble League Qualifier, along with all the non-podium teams, minus whoever the host is. Speaking of, normally we find that out at the end of the Showdown, so we’ll see if we find out the 2021 host team.

With that out of the way, let’s learn just what the hell an aquathlon is.

Event 14: Team Aquathlon

The team aquathlon is a biathlon event in a knockout tournament, where teams are (I think) randomly drawn (that’s the only way I can explain the matchups) in the bracket. Teams start with their 4-marble squad in lanes 2 and 3 on the track and run the length of it in tandem before dropping into a pool and racing its length. The team to get their third marble across the finish line first is the winner and moves on. Teams eliminated in the first round and in the quarterfinals are classified based on finishing time, but the two teams eliminated in the semifinals face off in a consolation match for the bronze.

Here’s the bracket:

Heat 1: Green Ducks vs. Balls of Chaos
The Balls of Chaos took an early lead down the track, but the Ducks were able to get a better late push and had the lead in the water. They kept that momentum through the pool where they had the frontrunner (useful but meaningless). Two BofC marbles split the Ducks’ blockade, but the third marble was on the other side of the pool and couldn’t get that draft because there wasn’t anything to draft behind, and the third marble’s the one that counts.
Green Ducks def. Balls of Chaos

Heat 2: Hornets vs. Savage Speeders
The Hornets might have gotten the better direct launch, but that was for maybe a second, as the Speeders picked up the lead throughout the track and into the pool. Everyone splashing together actually caromed two Hornets marbles towards the front, but the other two lagged behind as opposed to the Speeders’ cluster. All four Speeders finished around the same time and though two Hornets were among that group, again, the third marble matters.
Savage Speeders def. Hornets

Heat 3: Crazy Cat’s Eyes vs. Bumblebees
An even launch, though the Cat’s Eyes pulled a margin approaching the pool. In the water though, a couple Bumblebees got bumped forward and a third used the draft to battle with Blue Eye ahead of them. It was back and forth throughout but the ‘Bees prevailed to advance.
Bumblebees def. Crazy Cat’s Eyes

Heat 4: Team Momo vs. Team Galactic
Galactic got the much nicer run on the track but entering the pool there was definitely a ruckus of marbles getting bumped. One of each team was pushed back aside, meaning this would seemingly be a 3v3 battle, Galactic slightly ahead. But we saw Team Momo’s aquatic prowess in the triathlon as their marble slipped ahead. Team Galactic was just as keen though and took the spot back, and they continued to battle with an under one length lead separating them until the end. I’d estimate it ended at about half a length.
Team Momo def. Team Galactic

Heat 5: Raspberry Racers vs. Mellow Yellow
Mellow Yellow had slight edge through the track and had the tactical bonus of all four marbles grouped tightly meaning they could block traffic if need be. Except the Racers were on the other side of the pool and their three marbles pulled even, then ahead. Even the fourth Racers marble which had been way back caught up to the Mellow Yellow wall, which didn’t do that much in that case.
Raspberry Racers def. Mellow Yellow

Heat 6: Minty Maniacs vs. Hazers
A slow start from the Maniacs is a dangerous thought because the Hazers are normally pretty good in the pool. They were able to get some of the track margin back and spread out. I’m not sure if spreading out leading to the jump in the pool is the best idea, especially because it meant that they still had to chase down that third Hazers marble. As I said, the Hazers are normally strong in the pool and they showed it there.
Hazers def. Minty Maniacs

Heat 7: Oceanics vs. O’rangers
The Oceanics had been strong on the track all year and that’s where they needed to capitalize here, as they fell behind. All four O’rangers marbles were ahead of the lead Oceanics marble in the pool. But credit to the Oceanics. In the second half of the pool, after the first drop, they were able to pick up the pace and close the gap, and… pass the O’rangers’ back two? And win the heat? Wait, seriously? That’s the time to suddenly be competent in the water and win a race? Against the #1 team? Okay, call me impressed. That’s marble racing, Suzyn.
Oceanics def. O’rangers

Heat 8: Midnight Wisps vs. Thunderbolts
With Greg Woods still recovering from the upset of the year, the Thunderbolts split into a 1-3 grouping they probably didn’t want or need. I’m going to say no fault to captain Thunder at the head, probably the stragglers. All four Wisps were in front of that second marble, so I guess you’d say they had the lead. From there they were able to accost Thunder and track him down and score an easy enough win.
Midnight Wisps def. Thunderbolts

With that we move to the quarters, which is just 1v2, 3v4, etc.

Quarterfinal A: Savage Speeders vs. Green Ducks
The Green Ducks got the better run through the track, even if the Speeders had a better launch. It’s about that secondary phase. But in the pool they had one marble kick back, meaning it would be 3v4, that their three front marbles would have to hold the line. Two were fine, but there was contact between the third-running Duck and third Speeder in the pool. The Speeders got the best of it as after they disconnected the green marbles started veering left while the Speeders stayed straight and true onto the semis.
Savage Speeders def. Green Ducks

Quarterfinal B: Bumblebees vs. Team Momo
Team Momo had a good launch and secondary phase, holding the lead against the Bumblebees, but the separation was in the drop. One Momo marble and two Bumblebees spun backwards, and that gave Team Momo a big advantage swimming the lap because the top two Bumblebees could do whatever but it wouldn’t really matter if the third lagged so far behind.
Team Momo def. Bumblebees

Quarterfinal C: Hazers vs. Raspberry Racers
The Raspberry Racers took the lead throughout the track, but again, it feels like the Hazers have the reputation of aquatic strength. So even though the Racers were the first in, the Hazers seemed to blow right past until the third and fourth Hazers marbles bumped each other. This killed both momentums while we saw if either of those two marbles could just barely hang on. And they did, just barely.
Hazers def. Raspberry Racers

Quarterfinal D: Midnight Wisps vs. Oceanics
Man, if the Oceanics could take down another top team to get to the semis, that would be something.

It was an even enough launch, run, and splash. Both teams had a marble kick back making it a relevant 3v3 in the pool, with the Oceanics with a slight edge. Until the Wisps blew right past those three Oceanics. The underdogs tried to close the margin, but it was a little too much.
Midnight Wisps def. Oceanics

The semis:

Semifinal A: Team Momo vs. Savage Speeders
It was an interesting launch. Momo technically had the lead through the track portion as there was a 2-by-2 bunch for the Speeders. But that led them to split the middle and go right through to the lead. Momo’s marbles could close but couldn’t claw all the way back, it was a risky strategy that worked beautifully for the Speeders.
Savage Speeders def. Team Momo

Semifinal B: Hazers vs. Midnight Wisps
The gate went up… but only part of the way, not releasing all the marbles! That’s a false start to do it again.

The second time was clean, with the Wisps getting a good-sized lead in the track. They didn’t get the best trip into the pool as one marble kicked back and that opened the door for the Hazers, trying to use the aquatic skills to claw back the lead. But good blocking by the Wisps to keep the Hazers in enough traffic to prevent them running away and actually managing to hold them off.
Midnight Wisps def. Hazers

Third Place: Team Momo vs. Hazers
The teams one point apart in the standings squared off in a battle for the midpack. Both teams got a decent launch but the Hazers extended in the run down the track, and once they had the lead in the water, they were gone, all four marbles even beating the lead Team Momo marble. Fun fact, this bronze medal run was the best time in the event, 17.44 seconds.
Hazers def. Team Momo

Final: Savage Speeders vs. Midnight Wisps
This one’s a podium battle, on the other hand, as both teams look for that podium and auto-qualifier, and maybe even to track down the O’rangers.

The Wisps had the lead in the first half of the track but the Speeders caught up by the pool. But the Wisps did get the better approach into the water with their three marbles having enough spacing after a very nice kick forward, ahead of the full team. That evaporated into the second half of the pool lap as they dropped to the second platform, as the Speeders caught up and started to pass. But did the third marble get there in time for the Speeders? It was a photo finish… and by one hundredth of a second…
Midnight Wisps def. Savage Speeders

Podium:
Gold: Midnight Wisps
Silver: Savage Speeders
Bronze: Hazers

The $5,000 donation made in the Midnight Wisps’ name was made to the St. Mary’s Food Bank

Rest of results (based on finishing time in eliminated stage):
Team Momo, Raspberry Racers, Oceanics, Green Ducks, Bumblebees, Minty Maniacs, Hornets, O’rangers, Thunderbolts, Crazy Cat’s Eyes, Team Galactic, Balls of Chaos, Mellow Yellow

Standings (after Event 14, 2 events left)
1. O’rangers-190 pts (3G 2S 2B)
2. Savage Speeders-170 pts (2G 1S 1B)
3. Midnight Wisps-168 pts (2G 2S 1B)
4. Minty Maniacs-154 pts (3G 2B)
5. e-Crazy Cat’s Eyes-139 pts (1G 1S 1B)
6. e-Raspberry Racers-132 pts (1G 1S 1B)
7. e-Hazers-131 pts (1G 1S 1B)
8. e-Team Galactic-128 pts (1S)
9. e-Team Momo-127 pts (2S)
10. d-Oceanics-115 pts (1G 1S 1B)
11. d-Bumblebees-92 pts (1S)
12. d-Green Ducks-88 pts
13. d-Hornets-79 pts
14. d-Balls of Chaos-78 pts (1S) (hold silver tiebreaker over TBO)
15. d-Thunderbolts-78 pts
16. d-Mellow Yellow-66 pts (2B)

e-Denotes eliminated from ML2020 championship contention
d-Denotes eliminated from ML2020 podium contention and auto-qualification to ML2021

Biggest rise: Hornets (+2)
Biggest drop: Team Galactic (-2)

With that, the O’rangers don’t clinch, but can do so in the next event with a win and the Savage Speeders not finishing 2nd, or a podium and the Speeders finishing 6th or lower, or other things that involve 5 more points than the Speeders (and 2 more than the Wisps, now in 3rd).

Event 15: Collision
The most dangerous event in the Marble League (see 2017), the collision has been constantly retooled for marbles’ safety. The basic premise is the same though. Full teams (all 5 marbles per side) roll towards each other with the premise to knock each other off the court. They may also trigger traps via red dominoes, ball bearings and other larger marbles designed to cause chaos. Scoring is based on number of marbles remaining per side.

There are four 4-team groups that meet up in round-robin play. Scored like our lesser footy it’s 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, ties in standings are based on point differential. Top 2 from each group advance to a knockout tournament until a winner is crowned. Like the aquathlon there is a bronze medal match.

Group A: Green Ducks, O’rangers, Team Galactic, Thunderbolts
O’rangers vs. Team Galactic: 4-4 (ORA 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0, GAL 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0)
Green Ducks vs. Thunderbolts: 4-2 (GDK 1-0-0, 3 pts, +2, TBO 0-0-1, 0 pts, -2)
O’rangers vs. Green Ducks: 1-3 (ORA 0-1-1, 1 pt, -2, GDK 2-0-0, 6 pts, +4)
Team Galactic vs. Thunderbolts: 3-4 (GAL 0-1-1, 1 pt, -1, TBO 1-0-1, 3 pts, -1)
Thunderbolts vs. O’rangers: 3-1 (TBO 2-0-1, 6 pts, +1, ORA 0-1-2, 1 pt, -4)
Green Ducks vs. Team Galactic: 2-3 (GDK 2-0-1, 6 pts, +3, GAL 1-1-1, 4 pts, ±0)

Group results: Green Ducks (6 pts, +3), Thunderbolts (6 pts, +1), Team Galactic (4 pts), O’rangers (1 pt)
(GDK and TBO advance)

Group B: Bumblebees, Hazers, Hornets, Savage Speeders
Savage Speeders vs. Hazers: 2-1 (SAV 1-0-0, 3 pts, +1, HAZ 0-0-1, 0 pts, -1)
Bumblebees vs. Hornets: 3-5 (BMB 0-0-1, 0 pts, -2, HOR 1-0-0, 3 pts, +2)
Savage Speeders vs. Bumblebees: 5-1 (SAV 2-0-0, 6 pts, +5, BMB 0-0-2, 0 pt, -6)
Hazers vs. Hornets: 3-1 (HAZ 1-0-1, 3 pts, +1, HOR 1-0-1, 3 pts, ±0)
Hornets vs. Savage Speeders: 2-3 (HOR 1-0-2, 3 pts, -1, SAV 3-0-0, 9 pts, +6)
Bumblebees vs. Hazers: 4-3 (BMB 1-0-2, 3 pts, -5, HAZ 1-0-2, 3 pts, ±0)

Group results: Savage Speeders (9 pts), Hazers (3 pts, ±0), Hornets (3 pts, -1), Bumblebees (3 pts, -5)
(SAV and HAZ advance)

Group C: Balls of Chaos, Minty Maniacs, Oceanics, Raspberry Racers
(Minty Maniacs vs. Raspberry Racers: FALSE START, referee hit by gate)
Minty Maniacs vs. Raspberry Racers: 2-2 (MTM 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0, RSP 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0)
Oceanics vs. Balls of Chaos: 3-1 (OCN 1-0-0, 3 pts, +2, BOC 0-0-1, 0 pts, -2)
Minty Maniacs vs. Oceanics: 3-3 (MTM 0-2-0, 2 pts, ±0, OCN 1-1-0, 4 pts, +2)
Raspberry Racers vs. Balls of Chaos: 2-3 (RSP 0-1-1, 1 pt, -1, BOC 1-0-1, 3 pts, -1)
Balls of Chaos vs. Minty Maniacs: 2-3 (BOC 1-0-2, 3 pts, -2, MTM 1-2-0, 5 pts, +1)
Oceanics vs. Raspberry Racers: 2-1 (OCN 2-1-0, 7 pts, +3, RSP 0-1-2, 1 pt, -2)

Group results: Oceanics (7 pts), Minty Maniacs (5 pts), Balls of Chaos (3 pts), Raspberry Racers (1 pt)
(OCN and MTM advance)

Group D: Crazy Cat’s Eyes, Mellow Yellow, Midnight Wisps, Team Momo
Midnight Wisps vs. Crazy Cat’s Eyes: 2-2 (MNW 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0, CCE 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0)
Team Momo vs. Mellow Yellow: 2-2 (MOM 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0,  MYL 0-1-0, 1 pt, ±0)
Midnight Wisps vs. Team Momo*: 3-2 (MNW 1-1-0, 4 pt, +1, MOM 0-1-1, 1 pt, -1)
Crazy Cat’s Eyes vs. Mellow Yellow: 1-4 (CCE 0-1-1, 1 pts, -3, MYL 1-1-0, 4 pts, +3)
Mellow Yellow vs. Midnight Wisps: 3-4 (MYL 1-1-1, 4 pts, ±0, MNW 2-1-0, 7 pts, +1)
Team Momo vs. Crazy Cat’s Eyes: 3-4 (CCE 1-1-1, 4 pts, -2, MOM 0-1-2, 1 pt, -2)

Group results: Midnight Wisps (7 pts), Mellow Yellow (4 pts, +2), Crazy Cat’s Eyes (4 pts, -2), Team Momo (1 pt)
(MNW and MYL advance)

*A bizarre incident in Midnight Wisps vs. Team Momo where the Team Momo marble was knocked off the field and then rolled back on from a domino. That counts as “off” and is not scored; there’s no re-entry allowed in collision. All things aside, it’s better than the last time these two faced off. (too soon?)

Non-advancing marbles (9th-16th):
Team Galactic (4 pts, ±0), Crazy Cat’s Eyes (4 pts, -2), Hornets (3 pts, -1), Balls of Chaos (3 pts, -2), Bumblebees (3 pts, -5), Team Momo (1 pt, -2, 7 PF), Raspberry Racers (1 pt, -2, 5 PF), O’rangers (1 pt, -4)

The seeding is 1A vs 2C, 1B vs. 2D, 1C vs. 2A, and 1D vs. 2B. Or, to make it look cleaner:

Quarterfinals
Green Ducks vs. Minty Maniacs: 3-4 (MTM advance)
Savage Speeders vs. Mellow Yellow: 3-2 (SAV advance)
Oceanics vs. Thunderbolts: 2-3 (TBO advance)
Midnight Wisps vs. Hazers: 3-4 (HAZ advance)

Non-advancing marbles (5th-8th) (based on PD in QF—all were -1, then PF in QF, then points in group play)
Midnight Wisps (3 PF in QF, 7 pts in group), Green Ducks (3 PF in QF, 6 pts in group), Oceanics (2 PF in QF, 7 pts in group), Mellow Yellow (2 PF in QF, 5 pts in group)

Semifinals
Minty Maniacs vs. Savage Speeders: 1-4 (SAV advance to final, MTM to third place)
Thunderbolts vs. Hazers: 5-1 (TBO advance to final, HAZ to third place)

Greg Woods noted the Savage Speeders’ asymmetrical formation in the semis. Most teams go for a 4-1, either ending up with a line-4 or an arrowhead (the Green Ducks miss an opportunity to call theirs the Flying V).

Third Place
Hazers vs. Minty Maniacs: 2-4 (MTM wins bronze)

Final
Savage Speeders vs. Thunderbolts: 4-3 (SAV wins gold, TBO wins silver)

Podium
Gold: Savage Speeders
Silver: Thunderbolts
Bronze: Hazers

The Savage Speeders’ donation was made to the Weld Food Bank.

Rest of results:
Hazers, Midnight Wisps, Green Ducks, Oceanics, Mellow Yellow, Team Galactic, Crazy Cat’s Eyes, Hornets, Balls of Chaos, Bumblebees, Team Momo, Raspberry Racers, O’rangers

Standings (after Event 15 of 16, 1 event remaining)
1. x-Savage Speeders-195 pts (3G 1S 3B)
2. O’rangers-190 pts (3G 2S 2B)
3. Midnight Wisps-179 pts (2G 2S 1B)
4. e-Minty Maniacs-169 pts (3G 3B)
5. d-Crazy Cat’s Eyes-145 pts (1G 1S 1B)
6. d-Hazers-143 pts (1G 1S 1B)
7. d-Team Galactic-135 pts (1S)
8. d-Raspberry Racers-133 pts (1G 1S 1B)
9. d-Team Momo-129 pts (2S)
10. d-Oceanics-124 pts (1G 1S 1B)
11. d-Thunderbolts-98 pts (1S) (hold silver tiebreaker over GDK)
12. d-Green Ducks-98 pts
13. d-Bumblebees-95 pts (1S)
14. d-Hornets-84 pts
15. d-Balls of Chaos-82 pts (1S)
16. d-Mellow Yellow-74 pts

x-Clinched ML2020 podium and auto-qualification to ML2021
e-Denotes eliminated from ML2020 championship contention
d-Denotes eliminated from ML2020 podium contention and auto-qualification to ML2021

Biggest rise: Thunderbolts (+4)
Biggest drop: Raspberry Racers/Bumblebees (-2)

The perfect event for the Savage Speeders, as they jump the O’rangers and now they have the hammer. Let’s look over scenarios:

Savage Speeders-195 pts (3G 1S 3B) (clinched top 3)
O’rangers-190 pts (3G 2S 2B)
Midnight Wisps-179 pts (2G 2S 1B)
Minty Maniacs-169 pts (3G 3B) (cannot win championship)

If tied in points, the tiebreaker is the number of gold medals, then silver, then bronze, then 4th places, and so on down the line.

The Savage Speeders win the championship if:
•They win gold in the marathon
•They podium and the O’rangers do not finish above them
•They finish 4th or 5th and the O’rangers finish 3rd or lower
•Elsewhere, the O’rangers finish off the podium, 4 spots or fewer above them

If the Savage Speeders finish 8th or above, they cannot be caught by the Midnight Wisps.

The O’rangers win the championship if:
•They win gold in the marathon
•They win silver and the Savage Speeders do not win gold
•They win bronze and the Savage Speeders finish 6th or lower

•They do not podium but finish 5 spots or more above the Savage Speeders, AND
-If 4th-7th, the Midnight Wisps do not win gold
-If 8th-11th, the Midnight Wisps do not win silver

If the O’rangers podium, they cannot be caught by the Midnight Wisps. If the O’rangers finish 11th or higher, they cannot be caught by the Minty Maniacs and will finish on the championship podium.

The Midnight Wisps win the championship if:
•They win gold in the marathon AND
-The Savage Speeders finish 9th or lower AND the O’rangers finish 4th or lower

•They win silver in the marathon AND
-The Savage Speeders finish 13th or lower AND the O’rangers finish 8th or lower

If the Midnight Wisps finish in the top 5, they cannot be caught by the Minty Maniacs and will finish on the championship podium.

The Minty Maniacs finish on the championship podium if:
•They win gold in the marathon AND
-The Midnight Wisps do not win silver OR the O’rangers finish 12th or lower

•They win silver in the marathon and the Midnight Wisps finish 6th or lower
•They win bronze in the marathon and the Midnight Wisps finish 11th or lower
•They finish off the podium but 10 spots or more above the Midnight Wisps

That makes sense, right? Cool. Before the marathon it’s the Marble League Showdown which will be covered next time on the Rolldown. See you then.