With anxiety and passion intermingled in the hearts of the competitors, Winterguard traveled to Austin to compete for the first time ever in the WinterGuard International Regional. With support radiating from their director, Willie Agustin, aiding the team forward and boosting their confidence, the team went out to preform and impress the judges earning them a spot in the finals.
“We competed this year to expand our skills and capabilities as a team,” guard member Karla Vazquez(10) said.
At the beginning of this marching season the guard team was introduced to a new director. This year Agustin decided that the team could achieve more than what the past directors have given them credit for. With this in mind, he sent them forward into the intense competition where they fought to make a name for themselves.
“It was a rigorous competition,” Vazquez said, “There were a lot of guards competing, and the only NEISD school was us.”
Representing the district as the only NEISD guard in the national A division increased their pressure, however there was a familiar face competing against them and the other 29 teams there.
“Judson high school Winterguard was at the competition and was in our class,” guard member Adrianna Gonzalez(10) said.
However the girls gave it their all and with the scores coming in .10 points apart from each other, the team managed to beat out 15 other teams and make it into the finals, earning themselves 12th place and a spot in the WGI records.
“Now that we were named finalist for the school winter guard first ever WGI competition we hope to keep adding on,” Gonzalez said.
The girls will continue to preform in hope to get closer and closer to the top as well as leaving their mark in the 2013 competing guard world. The month of march is stacked for the team in various comptetitions all around the state.
“We call it March madness for the next month. Almost every single week starting March
2nd we will have a competition,” Gonzalez said.
Their next competition will be at Bowie high school, Rouse high school, Dripping Springs high school and finally a Circuit Championship at College Station. The team looks forward in trying their hand out at all the competitions.