State Qualifying Solo Flags: Beginning a Great Colorguard Year

By Kaylee K.

Colorguard, or Flags, is generally something that would be categorized as a team activity. However, in some instances it can be an individual pursuit. On October 24th, the Roland-Story Colorguard sent four soloists to Pella to perform their solos. This was where the qualifying round for state flags, run by ISDTA, was held. 

Soloists Maddie Templeton, Lexi Butler, Kaylee Koppes, and Brooklyn Richardson all put together a routine. Each contestant carefully crafted and perfected their solos over months of practice. All this practicing happens while also preparing for team events, parades, and halftime performances. As a result, solos can be a very stressful endeavor, and yet, each soloist pulled it together flawlessly.

Every small detail of a solo is chosen by the individual. The costume, the flag silk, the music, the choreography. All of the various parts are what make the solo so unique to the person. The four solos that went to Pella each chose a different style. Maddie performs an emotional song about finding who you are; Lexi performs a solo from the Disney movie Aladdin, with an exciting dance to capture the audience; Kaylee performs a darker song with two different flags; and Brooklyn performs a jazzy song about the Grinch with an inconceivable amount of difficult tosses.

Solos are rated on a 100 point scale. Any solo with an 80 or higher receives a first division rating and the top ten scores move on to perform at state. All four soloists received a division one rating and Brooklyn Richardson placed in the top ten. This means that she moves on to compete at state in December.

“I set my expectations low, so when I placed in the top ten, I was ecstatic,” Brooklyn says about her success.

State flags is a day-long competition part of the 3 day event that is Iowa State Dance and Drill Team Association, or ISDTA. The morning is usually when solos happen. The afternoon and evening is when team events take place. This year, the colorguard will wake up early to go to Wells Fargo so that Brooklyn can perform her solo and determine where she places in the top ten.

Solo flags is an activity that is very exciting to watch and participate in. It is intense and competitive, and yet the adrenaline is always worth it in the end. This year was the first in a long time that every soloist got a first division rating, which is well worth the excitement. These solos will not soon be forgotten.

 

Location: Des Moines, IA, USA

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