Following are the Troopers' scores since July 23. Included are date, place, show name, Troopers' place and score, followed in parentheses by the winning score and corps. This will enable fans to follow along all season. Watch for Troopers Tuesday each Tuesday in the Star-Tribune.

July 23: Murfreesboro, Tenn., "Pearl Presents The Masters of the Summer Music Games," sixth, 80.05 (Cavaliers, 91.60)

July 24: Gadsden, Ala., "DCI Gadsden Presented by Alabama Battle of the Brass," sixth, 80.35 (Cavaliers, 92.40)

July 25: Atlanta, "DCI Southeastern Championship," 12th, 83.30 (Blue Devils, 95.25)

July 27: Charleston, W.Va., "Drums Across the Tri-State" (n)

Up Next:

July 29: Centerville, Ohio, "Soaring Sounds 30"

July 30: Columbus, Ohio, "Artistry in Motion"

July 31: Allentown, Pa., "DCI Eastern Classic"

Aug 1: Schuylkill Haven, Pa., Thank You Concert

Aug. 3: Massillon, Ohio, "Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Drum Corps Competition"

Having finished in the top 12 for the second consecutive week at hugely important regional Drum Corps International contests, the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps now winds its way through mid-America with its sights firmly set on Indianapolis and the World Championships Aug. 6-8.

The Troopers broke through that elusive 80.00 score in their first of three competitive performances last week and never looked back.

On Thursday in Murfreesboro, Tenn., they finished sixth and scored 80.05.

On Friday in Gadsden, Ala., they finished sixth and scored 80.35.

And on Saturday, among 21 other corps in Atlanta at the DCI Southeastern Championship, they finished 12th and scored their highest of the season thus far, 83.30.

Fans will remember that at the World Championships, Thursday is the quarterfinals at which all world-class corps compete.

The top 20 advance to Friday's semifinals, which the Troopers did last year, and the top 12 compete in Saturday's finals. The Troopers have not appeared in the finals since 1986.

To boost them as they arrive in Indianapolis, fans, family and alumni are planning to hang messages of support on the walls where they stay.

Reminiscent of the 1970s, when Gov. Hathaway, members of the Wyoming Congressional delegation and other fans sent telegrams to the corps, anyone is welcome to send a message of good luck and encouragement to be hung on the "Inspiration Wall."

Messages may be mailed to: Andrea Harmon, 2561 Tower Ridge, Corinth, TX 76210; but MUST arrive there by next Tuesday, Aug. 4 to be delivered to Indianapolis.

This week finds the Troopers in Ohio and Pennsylvania as they push to the finish line.

The highlight this week will be staying two nights in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., a tiny burg of about 6,000 west of Allentown.

The town has adopted the Troopers and calls itself their "home away from home." Crossed saber Troopers flags hang down Main Street each summer prior to their arrival.

Gary Post of Schuylkill Haven became a fan of the Troopers while marching with another corps in 1968.

"The rest is history," he writes on the Troopers Web site. "Each of us as fans of the great corps and former Troopers has an obligation to be there when they need us most. Travel safe. Your home away from home anxiously awaits your arrival."

Community News editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com. Read Sal's blog at tribtown.trib.com/Sal/blog