The marching band finished first in the Liberty Class at the Cavalcade of Bands championships on Saturday, Nov. 4 at New Oxford high school.

This is the third-straight year the Warriors won the event, finishing with a score of 94.75.

According to marching band director, Chris Poole, this accomplishment is not due to just one outstanding performance.

“Championship wasn’t just won on the field Saturday night; it was a season-long commitment to basics every day,” Poole said.  “Taking in all of the feedback and using that to propel us forward, each year we look for what we can do to move the entire activity forward and not just ourselves.  It’s what makes us stand out each year. ”

Marching band member Lee Cluster acknowledges the group’s expertise, but also stresses how it is due to so more than that.

“We won- not because we’re talented. We are, but that’s not why. We won because we practice. We practice hard and for long hours. And it’s not necessarily even that, it’s more because of how we practice,” Cluster said. “Unlike many other bands, we get locked in and take our Spirit, Pride, Class motto not just to our competitions but also to our rehearsals. We do fool around and goof off, but not when we practice or perform. We take it so seriously that other bands are scared of us…..you can have that passion, but you gotta have that focus to go with it. Hearts on fire, minds on ice.”