The Marching Cougars competed at Southeast Raleigh High School Sept. 24, placing first in all categories except one.

The performers were proud of their accomplishments.

“Continuously practicing, stand-still run throughs, and learning to really listen and lock into one another,” senior Emily Price, drum major said contributed to the band’s success.

In the competition, the band placed first in drum major, second place in color guard, first in percussion, first in marching, first in general effect, first in musical performance and first place in the overall band in Class 2A. The band was also Corps Style Grand Champions, and was also awarded with the Best Pit Crew Award and overall Grand Champion of the day.

Out of the nine bands that performed that day, The Marching Cougars had the highest score and received a Superior rating.

Joel Tucker, director of the marching band is impressed with this year’s band and their success.

“It’s a very hard working group. They have good instructors. The students are dedicated”.

To be a Marching Cougar, Tucker said, students must possess leadership qualities, according to Tucker.

“They are always on time, always prepared, they lead with positive examples and they don’t come down hard on people for not doing what they should do. Just very positive,” Tucker said.

The Marching Cougars also excelled at their competition Oct. 10 against four other schools in the 2A band division. WF took 2nd place overall and won the following other awards: 2nd percussion, 2nd color guard, 2nd general effect, 2nd music and 2nd visual effect.

Price thinks that this year’s band has standards that bands in other years did not have.

Price said, “We have a really positive attitude all throughout the band, especially among our leadership. They really helped to motivate each section.”