Spectators packed the bleachers on one side of the Wareham High School gymnasium on Monday, April 9. Cheers filled the room as the team lined up and walked onto the floor.

But Wareham wouldn't be facing off against one of its South Coast rivals in a sporting event that evening. The event was a celebration of the performing arts and recognition of the Wareham High School Winter Color Guard's recent state championship win.

The Winter Color Guard brought home its second consecutive state title on March 31 after competition at Reading Memorial High School. The team conquered rival Mansfield, scoring 94.70 over that school's 92.60, and also beat the Dedham and Malden high schools.

Because all of its competitions are out of town, the guard hosted a victory performance on Monday to show the community its award-winning flag spinning, rifle tossing, and dancing.

The Vikings' show honored the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, using the storyline and soundtrack of the popular movie. The guard is judged on dancing, how it uses equipment, overall choreography, and the "general effect" of the show.

"It was amazing," Captain Carrisa Gula, the guard's lone graduating senior, said of the win. "It was such a wonderful experience and it was exciting to win my last year!"

Coaches agreed. They were prepared for a difficult season, as the team moved from the Scholastic Class A to the more challenging Scholastic Class AA as a result of winning last year's championship.

"It started off rocky," Coach Kimmy Marshall said of the beginning of the season. "Some of [the members] were new. They'd never spun before."

Marshall noted that the team had lost most of its experienced members.

"We knew that this year would be a learning curve," said Director Annmarie Churchill. "But the team blew it out of the water!"

Captain Briana Morin, a sophomore, said she was "shocked" and excited about the win.

"It was the most amazing thing ever," she said. "We worked so hard and then this amazing thing happened!"

Captain Rachel Freeman echoed that sentiment.

"It was so exciting," Freeman said, but noted that the win moves the guard up into yet another more challenging division. "We have to step it on up!"

The guard will take a brief hiatus before beginning practice this summer for its next season. Interested in joining the state champs? Contact the group through its Facebook page: www.facebook.com/warehamcg.

Visit the slideshow below for more photos!