After being inactive in recent years, winter guard has returned. And, in their first competition of 2018, the group performed well.

The OHS winter guard placed first in its division and had the highest score of the day at the Mascoutah, IL competition on Saturday, Jan. 27.

“I think we did amazing overall,” said winter guard performer Triona Leach (10), “and I have never been happier.”

Unlike the color guard season, winter guard performs to pre recorded music during competitions. In order to prepare for competitions the team spends hours of practice at OHS as well as Oakville Middle School.

“The month of January we have done about 21 hours of practicing each week,” Leach said.

There are about 12 underclassman performers involved with winter guard, 11 girls and one boy.

“I love doing winter guard because I get more closer to the members involved because there is not as many and it is more relaxed,” Leach said.

The next scheduled competition for winter guard is Feb. 10 in Edwardsville, IL.