[Nate Smith]

The even/odd distinction refers to the National Championship at Epcot, where a large number of the slots were based on performance this and previous years, and the remainder of the available slots were filled based on a first-come, first-served basis with even numbered teams, based on the fact that 2002 is an even-numbered year. Therefore, next year, the odd teams will have the first-come, first-served option. The best system? No, but I think a lot of people who watch the board will agree we've already beaten that horse to death several times since the qualifying plan was announced. This does not affect who can play in the finals at a given regional, as the topic for the thread may at first suggest.