Flying Through Competition

Many people know what color guard is, but not many know the amount of work that goes into it.

Color+guard+tops+off+their+performance+with+a+final+pose.

Photo by B. Johnson Photography

Color guard tops off their performance with a final pose.

 Flags being thrown high in the air and sparkling costumes twirling around might be the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about color guard, but the sport involves much more.

   Throughout the year, our color guard works hard on competition performances to showcase their skills, along with their regular halftime performances. They also compete in state, regional, and national level competitions during the season. 

  Prior experience is not required so everyone has the chance to try out and be a part of this sport. In order to join, it is required to attend at least one of their tryout clinics during either fall or winter. 

   Tryouts are usually held in November for the winter season and in April or May for the fall season. Posters are hung up in school with additional information around these times. 

   Typically, the competition season starts in February and lasts until April. During this time, the team competes their prepared show almost every Saturday. This year, their goal is to place in the top three at state since they are not competing at regionals or nationals. They are focusing on rebuilding the program after losing multiple members last year.

   During the season, they have practice every Monday and Friday from 5:30-9:00 PM. 

   “Depending on where we are in the season, we are running through our show and adding/cleaning choreography, but if we are towards the beginning of a season we usually start with the basics of dance and flags,” junior Ivy Ohrenberg said.

   Not many people truly understand the amount of hard work and dedication this sport requires. Color guard can be dismissed and labeled an “easy” sport just because it is difficult to see what really goes into it behind the scenes.

   “I wish that people knew how much time, mental strength, and effort goes into color guard. We are constantly having to learn new tricks, tosses, or dance moves that cause us to work past our mental blocks because this sport is very scary and a little painful sometimes,” Ohrenberg said.

   Throwing objects high in the air and catching them looks simple to some, but it requires hours of hard work and dedication.

   “Most people think the things we do are easy, but if they would ever try them they would realize it takes a lot of time and effort to achieve,” Ohrenberg said.

   Not only is color guard a great opportunity to learn fun skills and try something new, but it can also be a great way to make strong friendships. 

“My favorite part about color guard has to be getting to be around my teammates. Whether it is being with my team while at competitions or practices, they always make me laugh and make new funny memories,” Ohrenberg said.

   Color guard may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about difficult sports, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. The athletes involved take a lot of pride and work very hard in perfecting this craft.