Madison Winter Guard wins Utah championship
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REXBURG – The Madison High School Winter Guard has placed first in a Utah competition.
The Utah Color Guard Circuit held its final competition March 25 to 26 in West Jordan.
The 12 girls in the guard competed against 10 teams, beating out five of the top Utah teams in the Scholastic Intermediate A division.
The winter guard is typically made up of members from a marching band’s color guard. The team is trained to dance, and spin and toss sabers, rifles and flags. They train and compete between November through March or April.
Coach Angela Boyle says this is a great accomplishment for the guard in its second year of competition, especially while competing out of state.
“There’s really not anything for winter guard up here just because the winter color guard is more established (in Utah) and (has) been there for several years. It is a little bit tougher because we are so far away,” Boyle said.
Boyle said the team trained for long hours to perfect their routine.
“Those who were on the guard last year were so happy to even make finals (this year) and for them to take first in finals just meant the world to them. They’ve just worked so hard for so long, and they really deserved it,” Boyle said.
To prepare for competition, the team choreographs a production that includes a routine, props, and costumes. This year’s show was called “Peter Pan and His Shadow,” in which Peter Pan loses his shadow and tries to recapture it.
LeNee Curtis’ daughter Megan Havens is a member of the Madison Winter Guard. She’s said she’s happy her daughter and the team were able to make it as far as they did this year.
“They didn’t need what I call ‘fluff’ — they didn’t need all the props and all the extras to have a good show. They went out there and used their skills, abilities, talents and their hard work and came out on top,” Curtis said. “We’re grateful to those who’ve supported and sponsored us, and as parents we’re really proud of the whole team and our coach.”
