Both the North Sanpete Drill and Manti Templarettes took to the floor at the 3A State Drill competition last Thursday and Friday at Utah Valley University, and the Gunnison G-Gettes joined them in 2A. All three teams fought hard to advance to the final eight in their classifications.
North Sanpete
The North Sanpete Drill Team was seeking its seventh state title in school history and first since 1996. But realignment opened the door for a new 3A drill team state champion, and Canyon View made the most of the opportunity. The Falcons finished first in two of three categories at the 3A state championships as it edged North Sanpete for its first state championship since 2011 and just the second in its school history.
North Sanpete gave it everything they had on the dance floor of UVU. Placing first in show, second in dance and third in military helped to secure them as the state runners-up for the fourth consecutive year.
Jordan Hilton, a senior team captain and four-year drill team member, said that overall, she is so proud of her team and how they placed at state.
“Knowing that we gave it our all and put in as much effort as possible made the day so enjoyable,” she said.
Hilton said that the girls on the team were so fun to be around down in the tunnel in between dances, and those are the memories that she will never forget.
“While we were dancing, you could feel everyone’s energy, and we feed off of it and it was such a great experience.”
Three members of the NS team made the All-State Drill Team, including Hilton, Cambree Pehrson and Karissa Vogt.
Manti
The Templarettes were ecstatic when they heard their team’s name called, advancing them into the top 8 teams in 3A. Last year the team came up short and couldn’t compete in the finals.
Coach Kaylie Bailey said that she is so proud of the girls. They have worked so hard and blew her away at semifinals on Thursday.
While the girls gave literally everything they had on Friday, they didn’t place in the top five 3A teams.
The 3A teams are filled with so much talent, Bailey posted on her social media page. She said that she felt incredibly lucky to finish in the top 8.
Kylee Hanks was chosen as part of the All-State Drill team.
Gunnison
The G-Gettes looked amazing in the semifinals, and they were everyone’s pick to take the 2A division. But 30 minutes before taking to the floor, one of their teammates was taken away by ambulance, and they had to push emotions aside and redo their dance with not much time before taking the floor.
That has been the story for the GVHS team this year. This team has overcome so many obstacles all season long, but they have stayed strong as a team.
The girls fought hard at state, coming in 3rd overall among 12 amazing teams.
Proving just how talented and well-rounded this team is, they were awarded the 2A academic award for having the highest combined team GPA.
Laine Jensen was awarded third place in drill down, and Lexee Keisel was named a member of the 2A All-State Team, where she performed a short solo for the crowd.
