Last weekend the Frenship High School Winterguard teams kicked off their competitive season with outstanding performances, securing top placements in multiple categories.
The JV Winterguard had a remarkable debut, finishing second out of ten teams in the Novice class on Friday night. Their strong performance led to an immediate promotion to the Regional AA class. On Saturday, they exceeded expectations, winning first place out of thirteen teams in their new classification.
The varsity Winterguard also had an impressive start, winning first place in the Scholastic AA class on Friday night. The following day, they competed fiercely, finishing fourth out of eleven teams, missing a top three placement by only 0.53 points.
Guard Coach Amanda Knight is equally proud and excited over both team’s performances.
“Both groups did incredibly well this weekend! This was our first time competing in the Metroplex this season, and they were absolutely fantastic! Personally, I love getting to see all of their hard work pay off when they are able to perform at the level they did this weekend,” said Knight.
The competitions took place at Prosper High School on Friday night and Waxahachie High School on Saturday. Preparation for the competitions involved daily eighth-period guard classes, weekly evening rehearsals, and additional practice sessions before and after school.
Knight emphasized the dedication of the students, noting that success at this level requires countless extra hours of practice. She believes that beyond performance skills, Winterguard provides students with valuable life lessons.
“They learn hard work and perseverance. Many of the skills do not come easily at the beginning of the season, but consistent effort makes them achievable. They also learn teamwork and patience, as skill levels vary across the team. Most importantly, my curriculum emphasizes being kind, courteous, and deliberate in all aspects of their lives,” said Knight.
With such a strong start to the season, the team’s primary goal is to refine their performances.
“Over the next few weeks, we'll break each show down into small sections and work towards perfection. We'll also focus on performance aspects, such as facial expressions and effectively communicating the show’s concept to the judges,” said Knight.
Looking ahead, the ultimate goal is for both teams to qualify for their respective state finals in March.
“It’s a very lofty goal as each group competes with other great programs across the state,” said Knight. “We just have to keep our eyes on our goals and continue to move forward with each practice. Perfection is a process, and perfection is our goal.”
The Frenship Winterguard teams have set a high standard for themselves with an exceptional opening weekend, and they are determined to continue their success throughout the season.
Up next, the JV Winterguard will compete on February 28 and March 1, with their championships on March 15. The Varsity Winterguard will compete on February 28, March 1, and March 14, with their championships on March 29 and 30.
Awesome work, Winterguard! Thank you for your hard work and dedication!