By Brianna Powell and Kellie Foy
Editor-in-Chief and Sports Writer
Photos by Megan Matty

When attending a home football game this fall, you’re bound to see those colored flags fly in the air to the tune of the Mustang fight song. They make it seem effortless, twirling flags faster than the eye can see with grins seen from the highest bleacher. They are the Marching Mustangs’ Color Guard.

“Color guard is the visual aspect of marching band. The flags give you the visual part of it. We do tosses and we get to spin around flags,” sophomore Aubree Curtis said. “Lots of people don’t think we’re a part of the marching band, but we are.”

As a part of the Marching Mustangs, the “guard,” as they are referred to, perform at every home football game, as well as additional parades all over the country, spanning from Northwestern University to DisneyWorld. This year’s squad, comprised of all girls, is gearing up for marching band season with brand new routines and drills to accompany this year’s halftime show: an ode to Billy Joel.

“I’m excited about the new work we’re doing. The new rifle line, the new tosses, and weaving in and out of the band,” Curtis said.

From the benches looking onto the field, the routines performed by the girls can appear simple or easy, but they’re doing the job by making twirling near six foot tall poles easy.

“Everyone thinks [Color Guard] isn’t hard, but really they need to try it, because it’s killer,” Coach Hanna Peiffer said.

In fact, with flags that stand taller than the girls that twirl them and tossing rifles high into the sky, color guard can get dangerous.

“The most intense part is doing a toss and hoping and praying that you don’t drop it,” sophmore Riley Hill said.

Even when something does go wrong or someone has a bad practice, the guard is still working hard, pushing each other to do their best, and doing what they love. It’s hard to deny the friendship between them. They laugh with each other between breaks. They pat each other on the back after a great practice run. They hug each other while sharing snacks and stories.

“There’s a sense of family here. We all work together and have each other’s back,” junior Samantha Sennett said.

With being in the guard, the joy of performing doesn’t just come from the friendship, but the reward of their achievements.

“The thing I like the most is the sense of accomplishment. Towards the end of day, even if you’re still sweaty and tired out, you’re proud that you got things done,” junior Alyssa Cooling said.

The friendship, the accomplishments, the love of the sport all leave the girls with an incomparable joy.

“We’re all very, very proud to be part of color guard,” Curtis said.

Update: We have corrected the spelling of two names. Metea Media apologizes for the mistake.