Team proudly waves their flag in hopes for repeat title

The Palatine High School flag team members recently have been practicing four days a week fine-tuning their routines in hopes of defending their state championship title this weekend.

The team has had a sensational season. They have attended five regional competitions at area high schools (Bremen, Lake Park, Palatine, Schaumburg and Prairie Ridge) and they have come in first place at every competition with both their "tall flag" and "lyrical flag" routines, said Giselle Hanson, varsity flags coach

Last year, the PHS flag team was undefeated in its tall flag routine and almost undefeated in lyrical (they came in second place once). They won the state championship title in the tall flag and lyrical categories and they were the overall flag state champions (they had the highest score of the day among all flag teams competing), so they brought home three state trophies last year.

If they win this year, they will be repeating state champions in both categories which will be the first time that has ever happened within those two categories at the state competition, Hanson said.

And, let me just say, this is not your mother's flag team, marching around doing some basic geometric patterns. I saw the group perform at a basketball game and was blown away by the beauty and fluidity of the routines and the obvious joy the girls show in performing.

Hanson credits talent and hard work for the team's success.

"I think the reason why they've been so successful is because all of these girls are very talented. Two or three years ago these girls were not capable of doing the flag work they are doing now," Hanson said. "The girls are doing really difficult flag work in their routines and they are doing it well."

Hanson has warned the team that this year would be harder than last year because they are the defending state champions and everybody competing against them will want what they have -- the state title.

"So I let them know they needed to bring their 'A' game to every competition and not let their guard down because one little mistake can make another team take over and win," she said.

The team also has a great camaraderie, she said.

"Being friends with each other helps out a lot," Hanson said. "They all get along and they all help each other out when someone is not quite getting a move in the routine."

The state competition takes place Sunday at Bradley University in Peoria. Best of luck to the team!