DaytonDailyNews.com

BEAVERCREEK — Picking winners from the more than 300 talented groups and individuals who showed up at The Dayton Daily News National Anthem Tryouts on Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, for a chance to sing or play the "Star-Spangled Banner" at one of 70 Dayton Dragons home games, was a challenge.

"Every year it seems that it's harder," Chris Hart, marketing manager for the Dragons, said Sunday. This is the 10th year for the tryouts.

"The best of the best gets to perform opening night, April 9," he said.

Saturday's tryouts were held at the Dayton Mall in Miami Township; Sunday's were at the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek.

Gracie Mceldown, 10, of Russia, who sings in the children's choir at her church, dressed in red, white and blue Sunday. Josh Lawson, 22, a car washer from Beavercreek, wore pajamas with clouds because of his "angelic voice," he said. He belted out a raucous rendition of the anthem.

Diane Yeager, 45, of Dayton, assistant director of the Kettering Community Chorus, sang the song "the way it was written. I cherish the song and I think it should be sang the way it was written," she said.

Becky Schatzberg, 46, of Bellbrook, also sang a traditional rendition, while Chanella Dunford, 41, of West Carrollton, with her own band, sang a gospel-infused, neo-soul rendition.

Tyler Brown, 22, who has cerebral palsy, sang from his wheelchair with the help of his grandfather, Jerry Willoughby of Huber Heights. Billy Brandon, 13, of Centerville, a student at the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus, sang solo. He plays the trombone in his school band, which will be the first blind band to march in January's Rose Bowl parade, he said.

Tim Nichols, 49, and his son Tyler, 12, a fifth-grader at St. Charles Elementary School in Kettering, played a trumpet duet.

Singing at the Dragons games "is a lot of fun," said Allison Walton, 29, a substitute teacher from Kettering. "I did it a couple years ago and got to meet some of the players."

Judges were area celebrities and from the Dayton Daily News.

The winners will receive notice of their triumph later this month.