by Darcey Rydl, news editor
The Roar spoke to Aaron Crum (AC) and Claire Garner (CG), who are both members of the Elite Wranglers, about their experiences on the team.
What are the different levels associated with the Aggie Wranglers?
AC: Aggie Wranglers are an A&M tradition, and Ms. Sharon started the Lil’ Wranglers. Junior Wranglers is from little kids to eight-years olds, Lil’ Wranglers is from eight-year-olds to 8th graders, and Elite Wranglers is all throughout high school.
How long have you been a member?
AC: This is my fourth year.
CG: Since 8th grade
How did you found out about the program?
AC: Through my friends from 4H shooting club. All eight of us joined.
CG: The original studio they practiced at shut down so they came to our studio because our director was friends with their director. We opened up a room for them and they started doing their classes out of our studio and now they’re a branch of our studio.
Do you have to try out?
CG: We actually have to try out each year even if we’ve been on the Wranglers, [because we go to national and state competitions]. We have a [boot camp] in the summer that is for people who want to try out but they’ve never done it before so they learn the basic moves and everything. Usually if you’ve been on the team long enough you help out with it and make sure everybody knows what they’re doing.
Are there any other criteria to join the team?
They have a handbook [that] you have to look through, but anyone can join [as long as you try out].
How did you select your partner?
AC: I’m usually placed with someone.
CG: We knew each other from elementary school and he was like ‘I want to do it, so do you want to do it with me?’ and I was like ‘sure’ and we just showed up at this class and we’ve been together ever since.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
AC: We travel everywhere. We went to Vegas a couple years ago, we’re going on a Cruise this year, [and] we went to Branson last year and danced at a show we had there.
CG: We aren’t performing anymore this year, but we have performances throughout the year, like Santa’s Wonderland.
Want to join? Interested in attending their performances? Check out the Lil’ and Elite Wranglers website: http://lil-wranglers.com/performances
