All three high school drill teams in Sanpete County are wrapping up their seasons and competed at region this past week. While all three teams performed well, two of them earned region championships with clean sweeps in all three categories.
All three drill teams will compete at the state competition at Utah Valley University in Orem on Feb. 3 and 4.
Gunnison G-Gettes
Gunnison High School’s G-Gettes won the region drill team competition on their home floor on Thursday afternoon, sweeping all three performance categories.
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 raccoon 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 let it refuse to 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.
North Sanpete Drill
The North Sanpete Drill Team had a clean sweep at their region competition in Delta on Friday.
The Lady Hawks have now won the region title for three years in a row under the direction of Kiersten Wheeler and Brittany Dyches.
Like several other teams, the North Sanpete Drill team faced several injuries and sickness leading up to region. Wheeler said that she was proud of how her girls pushed through and competed very well despite those challenges.
Sweeping the whole competition felt amazing for Wheeler.
“I have watched the girls work so hard for months, so to see them sweep the region was such an exciting win,” she said.
The team is now preparing to compete at state. They will continue pushing and improving their routines. Wheeler said that they never want to stay stagnant. They are always working to improve.
“I am just so proud of these girls. They sacrifice a lot to be on a competitive drill team and I am grateful they show up every day and work so hard,” Wheeler said. “They are so deserving of this region title. They are amazing.”
Jordan Hilton and Cambree Pehrson both received Academic All-Region for having GPAs higher than 3.75. Both Hilton and Pehrson along with teammate Karissa Vogt also made the All-Region team.
Manti Templarettes
The Templarettes compete in the same regional division as the North Sanpete Drill, which has been called the toughest region in 3A drill.
The ladies danced well on Friday but struggled to pull out wins in the military and show routines. They did bring home a third-place award in the dance category.
“Region is always a great competition,” Coach Kaylee Bailey said. “Delta always does such a great job hosting us.”
Bailey said that her girls came out and did their very best against some very competitive teams. Her team was very excited to earn third place in dance and that was definitely a highlight of the weekend.
Academic All-Region recognition went to Kylee Hanks, Alexis Christensen and Addie Brailsford. Both Hanks and Brailsford along with Savanna Thompson also received All-Region honors.
