Cabell Midland Marching Knights head to nationals

ONA, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Typically for send-offs at Cabell Midland High School, the Marching Knights provide the music. This time around, though, the band was the honoree.

The Cabell Midland Marching Knights are heading to Indianapolis for nationals on Thursday.

Drum major Riley Meade said it’s an awesome feeling getting to compete alongside her friends.

“Oh, it’s a great honor,” Meade said. “I feel great about it. Being the only West Virginia band -- I feel great. We’re like a big family, so it’s amazing to be able to go do this together and experience it all together.”

Band director Jordan Carinelli said this is his second time going to the national competition with the Marching Knights.

The first time, they placed 61st, which is the highest they’ve ever placed.

So, this year they are aiming for 60th or better.

“They have to be one of the hardest working groups of kids I’ve ever seen,” Carinelli said. “We put in countless hours. We were here last night until 8 o’clock. The kids are just always ready for the next rep, the next run and it’s been great working with them.”

One hundred nine bands are competing, and the Marching Knights perform at 7:45 p.m. Friday.

“With a group of this size and this many kids, it takes a lot of community support, and we are very lucky here in Ona and here at Cabell Midland to have that and have some many people cheering us on,” Carinelli said.

Another school in our region is competing -- the Marching Devils of Russell High School in Kentucky.

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