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News >> ................................................................Last updated: 3/22/2010 |
Colorguard wins state with male teammate
Amy DeSalvo ~ News Editor
East’s colorguard team dominated at the IDTA state competition this past weekend with first place finishes in tall flag, lyrical flag, and colorguard categories.
Most people know that colorguard involves dancing, high-flying tricks, and sparkly costumes. But one thing makes East stand out from most other colorguard teams - a male colorguard member.
Keith Boatner, a junior at East, has been on colorguard since his freshman year. His sister, Sarah Boatner, was captain of the varsity team when she graduated in 2007. She was Keith’s inspiration to try out for colorguard, despite the fact that it is a mostly female sport.
But Boatner is not intimidated by his teammates, who are all girls. “You get really close after all the competitions and practice,” Boatner said. Especially since the season lasts from April until the following March, the team has plenty of time to bond.
The biggest challenge of being on colorguard, Boatner explains, is the amount of practice time. The team practices six hours per week during the regular season, but up to eleven hours per week before going to state.
Having a boy as a teammate has also been a great experience for senior Co-captain Erin Carmichael and the rest of the colorguard team. Carmichael said, “He’s just as strong as the other members, so being the only boy didn’t really make a difference. We were good enough that it didn’t matter.”
Boatner’s experience with girls has also taught him some valuable life lessons. As the only boy on colorguard, he has an upper hand when it comes to socializing and conversing with members of the opposite sex. “Girls are very sensitive and they like someone who listens to what they say,” Boatner said.
As the only boy on colorguard, Boatner is proud to break gender stereotypes related to the sport. His friends and family are supportive, and he encourages others to step outside of their comfort zone to do something they love, even if it means doing something a little different.
Boatner said, “I’m going to do what I like to do and if they have anything to say about it, I don’t really care. It’s my choice.”
Boatner’s favorite routine so far is this year’s routine to “End of The World.”
“It’s very complex because it involves a bunch of different props,” Boatner said. It is also the routine that won them the state title in the colorguard category.
Carmichael is extremely proud of her team for their state championship. “The fact that we won state for the ninth time, and for Coach Zabka’s last year.…I’m glad we ended on a high note,” Carmichael said. Coach Johnni Zabka was also inducted to the IDTA Hall of Fame this year.
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