Winter Guard 2009 Season in Summary: On the Road to the Final Four
SMB thanks Larry Chang, SHS "Guard Father", for this article. Photos contributed by Paul Sakamoto and Larry and Cyndi Chang.
CCGC Early Journey
When the opening 100 seconds of Modern Rhythms was first revealed at the Evaluation Show on January 10, 2009, the judges placed Team Saratoga in the Scholastic A category. Many of the students were disappointed because they wish to compete in the next higher category of Scholastic AA. Nevertheless, the guard coaches led the students to elevate their skills … to learn their routines. The quality of the performance improved steadily as the Team travelled to Homestead, Live Oak and Del Mar for competitions.
The look and feel of Modern Rhythms changed significantly along the way, as the coaches made adjustments to Equipment, Movement, Ensemble and Effect. The students were energized as they experienced the challenge and saw the steady climb with improving results.
Speed Bump
Lightning struck on March 14, 2009 at the Independence competition. Team Saratoga delivered their worst performance of the season with rock bottom scores on Ensemble and Effect. Not unlike the Dow Jones industrial index, when it dropped from 14000 to 7000 … no one knew whether the next movement would be back up or has more room to decline.
The three coaches worked tirelessly to encourage the students. They asked the students to focus: Tune for precision. Display show faces. Exaggerate for effect. Don’t over reach. Silently count and time your movements. Help each other to perfect the routine. Stay focused while thinking positive.
Sweet 12 at WGI
March 21, 2009 came the WGI Power Regional. This is a new experience from the familiar Pacific Coast winter guard circuit (CCGC) that Team Saratoga has competed in the past. Team Saratoga faced elevated pressures as they competed for two days in a combined class of Scholastic A and AA teams from 25 schools. These teams came from Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona.
Think of the March Madness: 64 of the best college basketball teams compete for the coveted NCAA Championship title. It is considered an honor for those teams selected to compete in the Regional 16. It is an elite accomplishment for those reaching the Sweet 16; then The Final Four.
Our students delivered their best rendition of Modern Rhythms of the season at the WGI Power Regional in Union City ... It propelled Team Saratoga into the Finals.
Team Saratoga has earned the recognition bestowed to the Sweet Regional 12.
CCGC Final Four
The sun beamed brightly. Independence High School was the venue. Lightning struck Team Saratoga the last time we competed here. But March 28, 2009 was going to be different. Team Saratoga was confident coming off the WGI Sweet Regional 12. The coaches and the students embraced in a group hug. They marched boldly into the gymnasium.
Today, Team Saratoga performed their best best-ever and jumped three positions to finish #4 out of 11 teams.
This concludes an exceptionally sweet and successful season .
Hooray to Modern Rhythms!
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