Lets end this bickering and keep track of the number of medals won at state by each of the four regionals. Wouldn't this be an good indicator of the relative strength of each of the regionals? If in fact they are equal in strength, 25% of the medals should come from each regional.

Or, lets "score" the regionals and total the actual medal placings: Each regional gets 6pts for each qualifier from their regional that wins a state championship, 5 pts for a second, and so on through 1pt for 6th.