As they build stronger relationships, learn routines and choreograph their own dances, color guard aspires to make this season their best one yet.
“I would say our group this year has a genuine passion for color guard. Most students I have taught love the sport, but the members this year are all always excited and encouraged to experiment to broaden their skills,” coach Viktoria Kiesling said.
Cologuard practices two days a week for two hours, unless there is a football game in which they practice for three hours.
“Something that people don’t know about guard is that we work really hard. It’s very physically challenging and uses a lot of arm strength,” junior Ashlyn Colussi. “If you want to toss high, it’s all about arm strength and there’s a lot of coordination with it. It also involves a lot of dancing, besides just tossing around the flag.”
When working with squads the marching band’s primary focus is communication and ensuring they get their counts right and remain in step with one another.
“Practice has been going really well. This year is definitely more organized than last year. Last year we did not get to finish our halftime show without going into overtime, but this year we learned it at camp, to help with our time management,” junior Sophia Tripi said.
The team works to improve their skills and memorize their routines. The weather poses obstacles as color guard performs and practices outside. So, if the weather is bad, they have to cancel that day. The biggest difference is that guard is the largest section in the marching band this year since the team grew from 10 to 15 girls.
“As a section in the Marching Band we prepare by rehearsing with the entire group. The band works hard every rehearsal,” coach Kiesling said. “They work on the core basics to help their skills and techniques. They work through their halftime performance with their movements and routines, as well as their pre-game performance.”
Coach Arnold is taking more of a role this year with directing, choosing the theme and the music for this year’s game. The songs for the homecoming game include “Walking on Sunshine”, “Walking on the Sun”, “House of the Rising Sun” and “Soak Up the Sun.”
“Working with the band is a pleasure. The band always has a great group of students,” coach Kiesling said. “They work hard while enjoying what they love and are just like one big family.”
