Great idea to compare notes. I am another amateur, fortunate enough to be in Atlanta last year. Lighting in Atlanta is better than some regionals but as other noted, far from ideal.
At Atlanta, if you have your team's media pass, you can get close, and flash can really help. In you are in the stands, forget it. (And remember no team media passes are allowed for the finals on Einstein.)
I use a Canon 40D. I use the 28-135 up close, and the 70-200 F4 with a 1.4 from the stands.
Here's my
favorite action shot from up close. Note it's only 1/125 second.
Here's my favorite
from the (back of) the stands - right as 971 won on Einstein - now ISO is up to 1600.
See you in Atlanta
Craig