Mountaineer Idol announces top 15

Mountaineer Idol showcased its talent Wednesday night in the Shenandoah Room of the Mountainlair.

While competitors seemed equally optimistic, each had a different motivation for trying out.

"I want to gain confidence," said Sydney Blankenship, a freshman pre-biology major. "I also hope to at least get in the top 15."

Blankenship was one of many West Virginia University students to take a shot at vocal stardom.

"I love a bit of everything," said Lani May Nankervis, a senior exchange student from Australia and nursing major.

Nankervis sang a song from the hugely popular musical "Wicked." The "Wicked" playlist seemed to be quite a popular choice, as three people chose to sing songs from the Broadway hit.

The competition also had a multitude of freshman tryouts Wednesday night, including biology major Isaiah Taylor.

"If I like it, I sing it," Taylor said, who chose an Otis Redding number for his audition.

Freshman Chris Mahoney chose a song by the Goo Goo Dolls and said he is a fan of heavy metal but prefers a mainstream indie style as well.

"My friends said ‘go for it,' and I'm a theater major too," Mahoney said.

If he makes it into the competition, Mahoney is looking forward to the cash prize. "I could definitely use it," Mahoney added.

"I'm a little nervous because this is my first time doing something like this," said Chelsea Malone, freshman general studies major.

The judges had a fun, but tough time making the decisions of the night.

Ryan Krofcheck, lead singer of Fletcher's Grove, was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

"There was much more better than bad," Krofcheck said.

Some contestants were also nervous and chose to express it while auditioning.

"I just went in the cadaver lab yesterday, and this is nothing compared to that," said sophomore nursing major Chelsi Wade, before performing her rendition of "I can't make you love me" by Bonnie Raitt. "I never felt my heart beat that hard."

Joseph Ta, a sophomore, chose "OK it's alright with me" by Eric Hutchinson.

"I have lots of high energy, so I'm going for jazzy stuff," said Ta, a pre-med, Chinese and international studies major.

Out of these students, 15 have been chosen to move onto the next round.

The next round of Mountaineer Idol will be on Sept. 11 and will be singer's choice.

Three singers will again be eliminated by five judges.

The second round on Sept. 17 will be music from the 1980s. The third round on Oct. 1 will feature oldies songs.

The fourth round on Oct. 22 will be a country-music theme, and the fifth round on Oct. 29 will be a "mash-up" of Broadway and Motown themes.

The last round will be on Nov. 14, and one of the three finalists will be the next Mountaineer Idol.