McQueen High School Marching Band captures "Best in the West" title

The McQueen High School Marching Band captured the "Best in the West" title Saturday at Douglas High School's third annual band competition.

Band Director Bill Zabelsky said the 125-member band from McQueen is an excellent band. Carson High School's Blue Thunder Marching Band took first place in the orange division for bands with 70 to 80 members.

Other winners were:

Black division,90 to 100 performers, first place to the Galena Grizzlies Band. Second place to the Sparks High School Railroader Band.

Orange division, 70 to 80 performers, second place to Churchill High School's Greenwave Marching Band.

Caption awards:

Drum major: first place to Sparks, second place to McQueen.

Auxiliary awards: First place to McQueen, second to Sparks.

Percussion: First place to McQueen, second to Sparks.

Woodwinds: First place to McQueen, second to Galena.

Brass: First place to Sparks, second to McQueen.

The sweepstakes awards for music, marching, showmanship also went to McQueen.

A slate of professional judges chose the winners, Zabelsky said. The annual event is scheduled for the second weekend in October. Next year's event will be Oct. 13.