Kicking off Sept. 11 on the campus of West Virginia University, the 13^th Annual Mountaineer Idol competition continued Fri., Oct. 7 at the Mountainlair Ballrooms. From that round, themed “Oldies Night,” five contestants advanced to the semifinals. Among them was Brooke Cottrill, a 2013 graduate of Bridgeport High School.

 

Her fellow contestants shared their versions of pre-1980s tunes made famous by Elvis Presley, the Jackson 5, Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson and The Mamas and the Papas. Cottrill, who was active in music and theater at BHS, performed “Somebody to Love” by Jefferson Airplane.

 

“I’ve performed it before so I was already familiar with it. It also was in a good range for me,” she said.

 

Although she really likes the tune and it was fun to perform, Cottrill said her favorite Mountaineer Idol round to date was “80s Night” during which she delivered “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses.

 

“It was extremely fun song to perform and got the crowd going,” she said.

 

Mountaineer Idol continues 8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 21. The theme of this semifinal round is “21^st Century/Broadway Week.” Contestants will perform two songs each, one from each category. Cottrill is still deciding on her selections.

 

Finals will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

 

In past years, as many as 50 WVU students have taken part in the university’s Idol search. This year, 15 participated. Previous rounds were held Sept. 11, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 at the Mountainlair Ballrooms. The process is similar to the former popular TV reality talent search, “American Idol,” which ran from 2002 through April of this year. Winner of Mountaineer Idol will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000. Runner-up will receive $750 and third place finisher will receive $250. Prize money is provided by event sponsor, Coca Cola.

The cash prize is certainly an incentive, as is the other grand prize - a recording contract with Mon Hill Records.

 

“That would be really cool,” Cottrill said. “But for the most part, I’m just doing this for fun.”

 

With each round of the competition, the panel of judges changes and there is a different guest judge – someone who previously competed in Mountaineer Idol. He or she also has opportunity to perform while judges tally up that night’s scores.

 

Reigning Mountaineer Idol is Derrek Ward. Past winners are Alexa Gonzalez, 2014; Skip Smith, 2013; Paris Winfrey, 2012; Chelsea Malone, 2011; Amanda Hughart, 2010; AJ Warne, 2009; Holly Hunsberger, 2008; Samantha Bartlow, 2007; Kasey Hott, 2006; Carlton Smith, 2005 and Joshua Jannotta, 2004.

 

Although she’s been a student at WVU for the past three years, this is Cottrill’s Mountaineer Idol debut. “This is my last year of undergrad and I plan on going to medical school at WVU, so I thought I would do this while I have time during my senior year.”

 

The daughter of Brian and Anita Cottrill, she will graduate in May with a degree in psychology.