The Estill County High School Marching Engineers are doing what a good band is supposed to do, improving with each performance.

The band traveled to Somerset to compete in the Pulaski County Invitational Saturday and scored their first distinguished of the season. 

The color guard scored an 87 and won the class. They scored higher than the grand champion band.

“We had a very good weekend and got the highest score of the year so far,” Director Jason Bowles said.

They placed third in their class behind such power houses as Boyle County, who placed first and Garrard County.

“We placed fifth overall out of 13 bands and our score was only five points away from Boyle County,” Bowles said. “We were up against the toughest competition of the season. We had to do well to truly see where we stood among the bands who will be there in the end.

“This performance proved that we are so close to competing at the next level. I believe that you have to compete against the best in order to see exactly where you need to improve. Spirits are high and the show is clean. We are looking forward to being close to the top coming out of our region.

The band will travel to Powell County next week for the last competition of the regular season.

Regional competition will be Oct. 31 at Rowan County High School in Morehead.