Penn-Trafford’s “A” guard had their first competition of their competitive season on Saturday, Feb. 9.  The team placed third, topped by Gateway and Mt. Lebanon’s color guards. 

     The competition was hosted by Norwin High School and featured over 40 guards and percussion ensembles.  These guards and ensembles came from a variety of schools and independent organizations.  

      P-T’s show, Private Eyes, featured flags, rifles and sabers and competed in the Scholastic A class in the TRWEA (Three Rivers Winter Ensemble Association) system of competition.  P-T performed against Gateway High School and Mt. Lebanon High School; Gateway finished in first place, followed by Mt. Lebanon and then P-T. 

     Freshman guard member Anna Bates said she felt confident in her first performance. 

     “There were no drops, and we all left the floor confidently,”  Bates said, adding that the Saturday night run was within her top ten runs but not her best, but that improvements came with time. 

     Bates said she believed that there were bits and pieces of the show to be cleaned, but the guard did, over all, very well.  

     She said that despite being nervous before the guard’s first actual performance, their instructors were supporting and “whatever happened on the floor happened.”  Bates said what mattered was that the girls put their best efforts out. The color guard is coached by Jenelle Lougher and Karlie Frank. 

     Prior to their performance, the guard practiced from 9 a.m. to noon at Trafford Middle School, before departing and leaving for the competition.  

     “A lot of other [teams]were underestimating us from our past years…but I think they realized we aren’t here to play,” Bates said. 

Lydia Anderson, Staff Writer