The Summit High School Marching Band will be advancing to the UIL State Marching Band Championships for the first time in the school’s 19-year history.

The Jaguars placed third in the UIL Area F 5A competition on Saturday, Oct. 23 with its 2021 marching program, titled ‘Ricochet.’

Head band director Christopher Kanicki has led the band since 2014, alongside assistant directors Cristobal Garcia and Dr. Shawn Hart. Kanicki said the program’s success would not be possible without the community's support, which includes current and former band students, parents, administrators and staff.

“We're incredibly proud of our band students on achieving this historic accomplishment,” said Kanicki. “They've dedicated themselves to achieving at the highest level, and their performance this weekend proves that.”

Summit High School will go on to compete against 30 other bands in the preliminary round of the 5A state championships at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 1 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. If they advance to the finals round, they will perform again in the evening on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Timberview High School and Legacy High School also participated in the 5A area contest. Legacy High School ranked 10th place in the final round.

For the 6A conference, Lake Ridge High School and Mansfield High School will compete in the UIL Area F 6A competition this Saturday, Oct. 30 at Pennington Field in Bedford. The top four bands in that competition will advance to the 6A state contest.