The Jacksonville Marching Crimsons ended their 2014 competitive season with a bang; they landed themselves a first place overall in their division out of nine bands at Quincy’s field competition.
The band had a relatively successful season taking third at nearly every competition and meeting their own goals and standards. The first place, at their last competition, was just the icing on a cake.
Many hours of sweat and sore muscles went into this year’s field show, but even then, winning first seemed unachievable for the Crimsons. “I didn’t expect a first place victory at all. I expected to get third at best, but this victory shows that no matter how small your band is, or how much you think you’re going to fail, it is possible. Not easy but possible,” said Tameeka Winston, a sophomore member of the color guard.
From third to first over the season, many members of the band agree that something had to have improved in the show itself for them to make such a leap in scores. Kenzie Pruitt said, “We improved by running through something like a move in the drill or a part in the music until we got it right, and I feel that is what helped us in the end.” Pruitt also stated, “I think for next season we could work on our marching technique to possibly bring home more first place victories.”
Memories were made this season and bonds were formed that will last longer than high school does. From Cameron Hume’s morph suit to being rained on at the first competition, there are memories of laughter and silent bus rides after loses. Regardless, many unforgettable moments shaped this competition season.
The competition in Quincy was the last competition for a great number of seniors who have been in the band for many years and for them to get first was a big deal.
This was a victory that the Marching Crimsons will not forget for a long time. The Crimsons went out and made their coaches and seniors proud and hopefully they will continue to do so in the years and marching seasons to come.