YOUR TOWN

Matanzas High School wins winterguard competition

The Pirates compiled a score of 61.04 to place first at Oakleaf High School.

By Observer Staff
| 7:00 a.m. February 13, 2024

The Matanzas High School winterguard team finished first at Oakleaf on Feb. 10. Courtesy photo

Palm Coast Observer
Schools

The Matanzas winterguard placed first at a competition at Oakleaf High School on Feb. 10.

Winterguard competition involves performance-based activity which incorporates choreographed staging, dance, and manipulation of equipment such as flags, prop rifles and sabers. The Pirates compiled a score of 61.04 to claim the first-place trophy.

“Our first competition of the season was at DeLand High School on Jan. 20 and we placed fourth with a score of 48.22, so we had a 12.82 jump which is really good,” said Matanzas flag corps director Alexis Musselman.

Musselman said the Matanzas winterguard program was shut down in 2014, made a comeback in 2020 but was shut down again during the pandemic. The program returned in 2022 and has been growing ever since, she said.

“Our dedicated team members have been rehearsing this show since early November and are very enthusiastic about being and performing as a team,” Musselman said. “The entire team works extremely hard between rehearsals, keeping up good grades — all while having fun. To say I am proud to call myself their coach is an understatement.”