The Lions placed third out of the state. There were five judges for the competition. Two judges placed the Lions at 2nd, and two at 3rd, and the final judge placed the Lions at 8th. It has been nearly 15 years since the band has gone to State.

“[I felt] pretty amazed,” senior drum major Taylor Pirtle said. “It’s been a long and hard journey getting there, but it was so worth it. All of the hours spent at rehearsal paid off and I’m happy to end the marching season the way we did.”

Before the competition, the Lions were sent off by the school congratulating them, and showing support for the band as they headed off for San Antonio.

“It was so amazing seeing all the students come together to support us,” Pirtle said. “We all felt extremely elated after that and I’m pretty sure we’ll all remember that for a long time.”

The Leander School District high school bands: Cedar Park, Vandegrift, Leander and Vista Ridge placed in the top four of the UIL State Marching Competition at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio.