Tomorrow the winter guard is scheduled to travel to Ben Davis High School to compete in the Winter Guard International (WGI) Indianapolis Regional.

According to Andrew Cook, Associate Director of Bands, the winter guard is currently ranked fifth in the nation and will use the regional competition to gauge its progress so far this season.

“This competition is a good one to attend,” Cook said. “A lot of teams that are competing at regionals will also be at nationals so we have a chance to see how we stack up compared to them.”

Samantha Plummer, winter guard member and freshman, said her favorite parts of winter guard are the competitions. However, according to Plummer, getting ready to perform takes a lot of work.

“We clean the work and practice over and over and over and over. The repetition wears on you,” she said.

Like any other sports team, the winter guard has had to deal with injuries as it practices for upcoming competitions.

According to Plummer, about four members of the winter guard are currently sidelined due to injuries, herself included. Plummer said she injured her right shoulder. She also said most of the injuries that occur involve the guard members’ shoulders or backs. Plummer said she does not know if she will be allowed to perform at the WGI Indianapolis Regional.

Cook said he is not surprised at the injuries.

“(Winter guard) is intense,” Cook said. “The girls practice so much that all the repetition probably starts to take a toll. I think this year’s winter guard is coming along very well. Hopefully all their hard work will pay off at regionals.”