Winter guard takes second with flying colors

The winter guard performs their competition routine during the halftime of the varsity boys’ basketball game on Nov. 30, from l to r: sophmore Colleen Johnston, senior Shena Bryan, sophmore Julie Audas, and sophmore Katelyn Gregory.

by Morgan Sanders 

On Friday, Dec. 2, Montezuma winter guard, also known as Zuma Blaze, set a school record by placing second at the state competition at the Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. Prior to this year the highest they had placed was third in Dec. 2005. 

This year’s team consists of seniors Brynna Steele, Aly James, Natalie Wheeler and Shena Bryan; junior Carly Steele; sophomores Katelyn Gregory, Colleen Johnston, Julie Audas and Tiffany Heishman; and freshmen Mackenzie James and Alex Brenner. 

The seniors chose the song “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. After the seniors chose the song, Coach Brian Nolton and assistants Tracy Gregory and Kelsie Sheets spent many morning practices throughout the last week of Oct. up to the competition perfecting a routine.  

The only doubt Nolton had was that the routine was different from anything they had done in the past. 

“The routine was slow paced and was pretty much constant motion. Very seldomly did the flag stop moving. Other routines contain a series of short, sharp moves and our routine had a series of slow flowing movements,” said Sheets. 

Many of the girls were nervous before the performance that they would drop the flag or get off on timing. 

Katelyn Gregory said, “I get more nervous getting dressed and ready than waiting to go on. I just kept trying to run through the beginning of the song in my head because I knew if I got the first part down perfectly, I shouldn’t have to worry about the rest because it would all come together.”  

Although some of the girls had to leave after the competition due to other committments, some of the members stayed behind to find out the results. Later that night, after hours of anticipation Johnston, Heishman, Gregory, Audas, Wheeler and Nolton learned they placed second and strode across the stage to receive their trophy. 

Nolton’s final comments on the season were, “I am so proud of the ladies and how they did! All those early mornings paid off! Thanks so much for all you do to make Zuma Blaze fun and successful. A special thanks to the seniors for all the years you have given to the guard. I also want to give a big thanks to my assistants Mrs. Tracy Gregory and Kelsie Sheets for all you do.”