WEST ORANGE, NJ — The fourth annual Marching Mountaineer Invitational drew large crowds despite the onerous weather and provided some exciting competition on Oct. 8 at Suriano Stadium.
The Marching Mountaineers performed their routine, “Defying Gravity,” in exhibition as hosts of the evening, while outstanding performances from West Milford, Roxbury, Passaic County, Morris Hills, Piscataway, Livingston and Verona high schools highlighted the evening.
The evening helped to raise funds for marching band expenses.
Passaic County Technical Institute won a Participation Award. In Group AA, Morris Hills High School won first place with a score of 80.8, also winning Best Music, Best Visual and Best Effect; and Livingston High School won second place with a score of 73.0. In Group AAA, Roxbury High School won first place with a score of 85.9, also winning Best Visual and Best Effect; Verona High School won second place with a score of 85.1, also winning Best Music; and Piscataway High School won third place with a score of 82.7. In group AAAA, West Milford High School won first place with a score of 88.7, winning Best Music, Best Visual and Best Effect.
There were also six overall awards. Roxbury won the Best Overall Color Guard trophy. Piscataway won the Best Overall Percussion trophy. West Milford was the top winner of the evening, receiving the Best Overall Visual Effect trophy, the Best Overall Effect trophy, the Nikhil Badlani Memorial Trophy for Best Overall Music and the Mayor’s Trophy for Best Overall Performance.