Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors End Season on High Notes

Caption: The award-winning Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors enjoyed a successful completion to their competitive season finishing in second place for Class 2A at the Illinois State University Marching Band Competition and taking first place in Class A at the Lincoln-Way Invitational over the past several weekends.

The award-winning Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors capped off a successful competition season with a second place finished for Class 2A at the Illinois State Marching Band Invitational and first place in Class A at the Lincoln-Way Invitational.

On October 11, the preliminary performance at ISU qualified them to advance to the finals competition in the evening, where they placed 14th. This was the Warriors first appearance in Illinois State Finals since 2010. In addition, the Marching Warriors took home a caption award in Class 2A from ISU for best visual performance.

“Saturday at ISU was an incredibly exciting day for the West band family. The students had two wonderful performances, and it was very special to have so many parents and alumni there to support us. I could not be more proud of the students and the work they have put in this season,” stated Cary Ruklic, band director and music department chair.

“On Saturday, October 18, the Warriors finished their competitive season with a very strong performance at the Lincoln-Way Invitational,” noted Ruklic.

The Marching West Warriors placed first in Class A competition at the Lincoln-Way Invitational with a score of 75.95. Wheaton Warrenville South took second in Class A, and H.D. Jacobs finished third. Marian Catholic High School was named Grand Champion overall.

In addition to taking first place in Class A, the band received caption awards of best music, visual, general effect, percussion, and auxiliary.

The 52 members of the Lincoln-Way West Marching Warriors are led by drum major Charlie Pavlak, his second year in the leadership position.

The title of the Marching Warriors’ 2014 production was “Seven.” Each section of the show encompasses a different aspect of the number seven. Movements of the show include “Lucky Number 7,” “7 Deadly Sins,” “Colors of the Rainbow,” and “Luck be a Lady,” from Guys and Dolls, as well as original music composed by Craig Fitzpatrick. The visual design was by Michael Lentz.