Three-hour-long practices, bruises, concussions, ice packs, and twisted ankles all don’t even begin to sum up the hard work and dedication the Jacksonville High School Winterguard team puts into their routines for regional and hopefully state competitions. A team of twenty-two girls work tirelessly to perfect their choreography in and out of practice; some even “air flag” while walking down the hallways or during their study halls humming the competition music.
Coach Rachel Mansell started coaching four years ago and still is today with the help of her assistant coach Jessica Leib. These two remarkable women help make the team come together in a family-like atmosphere with their kind nature and helpful hints.
Mansell said, “When I was asked to start coaching four years ago, I jumped at the chance because this team was such a huge and important part of my life during high school, and I loved the idea of being able to help others to achieve the same pride and success in becoming a part of a team.”
When Mansell first started coaching there was a team of eight girls, a far cry from this season’s twenty-two. The numbers in the past four years of Mansell’s coaching have gone up and up, and with a team this large, it creates new opportunities and more room for success stories.
“I think its wonderful to have so many people involved! I think it provides a bigger opportunity for the team to form a familial atmosphere, even more so than before. It also provides an opportunity for us to grow and learn more as a team than we’ve been able to before,” said Mansell. “To me this is proof of a positive atmosphere, and I am very proud of this team.”
This season the two routines the team is taking to regional competitions are a tall flag routine entitled “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera and a lyrical routine entitled “Alone” by Heart. To qualify for the tall flag competition, the routine has to be seventy-five percent flag work and the only equipment that can be used is a tall flag; while lyrical is a slower paced routine with more dance elements.
The inspiration for these two routines comes mainly from the team this year. Senior Peyton Beal selected the song “Alone” and came up with creative choreography for the lyrical routine, and the song “Fighter” was selected by Mansell and senior Cami Stottler while the choreography came through a combined group effort between Mansell, seniors Megan Homann and Brianna Craig, junior Emily Miner, and assistant coach Jessica Leib.
Along with the two group routines, there are ten soloists who will be competing at regional competitions hoping for a spot at State. The senior soloists are Peyton Beal, Brianna Craig, Megan Homann, Maggie Kaylor, Ashley Olson, Cami Stottler, and Kaitlyn Toland. The junior soloists are Genna Fanning, Kelcey Fanning and Emily Miner.
There is a lot of work that goes into being a soloist. These girls have to make up their own routine to a song of their choice and then go on to pick out their own uniform and still be able to put one hundred percent into the group routines.
The team will compete in a total of four regional competitions at the following places: Belleville East HS (Jan. 3), Villa Grove HS(Jan. 10), CLinton HS(Jan. 17), and Highland HS(Feb. 7). If the team qualifies for State, the competition will be held on February 14.
Winter guard requires a lot of determination and with time and practice these girls hope to place and make it to the state competition. Through it all, the girls always make time to hangout with each other outside of practice at sleepovers and parties to keep the familial atmosphere strong. Guard isn’t just about spinning a silk or catching your tosses; it’s about meeting people with whom you share a common interest and doing what you love together. Winter guard isn’t just some team your on… It’s a family of coaches, captains, and teammates who encourage you to be yourself.