Possible Clues:

• Ones in a contest
• They're in the race
• Get-ins?
• The competitors sent packing storm in
• They go in by the hall door, by the sound of them
• Sound like the way in for those going in for it
• Perhaps spelling sound for the incoming
• Tourney hopefuls
• Way in, we hear, for candidates
• Those entering the fray with 2 down lose the head and go ballistic first? Sometimes!