GUNNISON — Gunnison High School’s G-Gettes won the region drill team competition on their home floor Thursday afternoon, sweeping all three performance categories.
The event, staged in front of a crowd of 1,000-plus fans inside the GVHS gym, featured performances by six other high schools that compete in 2A drill.
The G-Gettes, now back-to-back region champs, took first place in military, dance and show categories, while the North Summit Esonas placed second in all three and the Duchesne Talons took third in each.
Becoming champions didn’t come easy to the G-Gettes. According to their coach, Mekesha Wanner, the ladies faced many trials throughout the season including three broken bones, a never-ending concussion, two knee surgeries, two girls being kicked off the team and a pulled hamstring.
Their trials didn’t end there. Just hours before the competition, one girl was bitten by a racoon the night before and had to get a rabies shot; another girl had to combat dizzy spells, and a third girl came down with a kidney infection.
“With all the challenges we have faced as a team this year, it made winning region that much sweeter,” said Wanner, “And not just winning, but a clean sweep.”
Wanner said that she could have never imagined it. The trials have brought the girls closer together and made them fight even harder than she could have ever imagined.
“There were many times I as a coach wanted to throw my hands in the air and be done,” she said. “But the team refused to let it stop them. They are an inspiration to me and great examples to look up to.”
She said that she is so proud to be their coach, and they aren’t done yet. After taking a few days off to let the sick girls recuperate so that they can all be 100 percent, the team will continue working hard at cleaning up their routines until they are perfect for state.
“They will continue to leave everything out on that dance floor, knowing they gave everything they had, and they did it together as a team,” Wanner said.
Special awards given out that afternoon included All-Region team members, Noelle Condie, Chelsi Helms and Janie Anderson. All three girls also received Academic All-Region Awards and Lexee Keisel made the All-State Team.
The G-Gettes will compete at 2A State on Feb. 3 and 4 at Utah Valley University in Orem.
