Two More Teams Drop From USQ World Cup 8

By Andy Marmer, Quidditch Post CEO

USQ has confirmed in a statement recently released on its website that Florida Gulf Coast Quidditch and the Grand Valley Grindylows have also dropped out of USQ World Cup 8.

Both teams join Marquette University Quidditch who announced yesterday that they would not be attending USQ World Cup 8.

The spots have been offered to the next highest South and Midwest teams respectively. The Illinois State University Firebirds and the Ohio University Flying Bobcats, the two top non-qualifying teams in the Midwest have accepted bids to attend World Cup. Likewise RCQC, the highest non-qualifying team in the South Region has accepted the bid vacated by Florida Gulf Coast.

Continue to check the Quidditch Post for more details as this information becomes available.

Update (4:15 p.m. EDT): Statement from RCQC President Amy Sullivan: "RCQC is absolutely ecstatic to have been offered a deferred bid. While we are sorry for our friends at FGCU that it didn't work for them this year, we are going to try our hardest to represent the South well and put up a great showing. We made a lot of mistakes at Regionals, but we learned from them and are ready to bring the competition to Rock Hill!"

Update (5:20 p.m. EDT): Statement from Ohio University Flying Bobcats Captain A.J. Davis: "We are extremely excited to attend our first World Cup. We thought that this was our year back at regionals when we hit some roadblocks. I still can't believe it and have been waiting for this since starting the team three years ago. The team is meeting tonight to go over what we need to do to attend and are excited to see everyone at Rock Hill, South Carolina. OU OH Yeah!!"

Update (9:20 p.m. EDT): Statement from Grand Valley Team President Aleia Wright: "We are dropping from World Cup this year due to an unfortunate combination of circumstances ranging from player injuries, to a significant weakening of our roster, to financial issues. While we were looking forward to playing at the tournament again this year, it is the opinion of the executive board that our club is not currently in the position to go to World Cup and perform at a level that would make the considerable investments worth while."