The Farmington High Nixelles were runners-up at the 6A state drill championships Feb. 4 at Utah Valley University. The 41-member squad placed first in Military and tied for first in Show with Bingham – with the Minerettes winning the tiebreaker – while also placing second in Dance.

“This team pushed through adversity all year,” said head coach Shalice Larsen. “The talent from 6A is incredible. The sport of drill is not for the faint of heart – so much blood, sweat and tears go in for every team! The support and feeling in the finals arena is unparalleled to much else.”

Captains Abby Lloyd, Alexus Oladi and Lily Short along with President Annalise Mortensen and Vice President Grace Holladay were among the leaders for the FHS program this year, which also included Unity Officer Avery Chandler, Social Media Officer Annie Garlick, Motivational Officer Avery Jensen, Secretary Alyiah Montoya, Costume Officer Ainsley Painter, Unity Officer Marina Perovich, Motivational Officer Lauren Rencher, Costume Officer Brynlee Sanders and Unity Officer Maren Williams.

The Nixelles placed among the top three in all their routines and competitions this season while also winning two Overall Sweepstakes championships at the Davis and Bountiful Invitationals during the year.

Also on the FHS team this year were Berkelee Baker, Preslee Blaser, Ireland Brown, Zaida Christensen, Ella Edmunds, Rylee Egbert, Maren Glassey, Lily Goff, Ava Hammond, Hailey Harrison, Kenya Holbrook, Bo Holland, Riley Jensen, Addison Landon, Ava Larsen, Ava Leavitt, Olivia Leavitt, Ciara Montoya, Sydney Nash, Kiley Nixon, Greta Poulson, Lacey Rigby, Lexey Rigby, Rayden Robison, Hali Stromberg, Reagan Tracy and Samantha Yeates.

Larsen was assisted on the coaching staff by Hartvigsen and Sue Bagley this season.

Davis

The Davis High D’Ettes placed fourth overall at the 6A state championships, taking third in Show and fourth in Military and Dance.

Senior co-captain Aspen Ahlquist took first overall in Drill Down while senior Liv Hendrix placed second. Ahlquist was also named All-State, Academic All-State and the 6A scholarship winner. Senior captain Libby Wells was also recognized on the All-State team.

“We have had a remarkable year together as a team!” said head coach Kira Mortensen. “Going into the state finals ranked second was something we celebrated!”

This season, the D’Ettes won the Overall Sweepstakes at the Excalibur Classic and the Royal Classic competitions while its “Sherlock Holmes” Show routine won top honors in all four competitions this season.

Wells was assisted by senior co-captains Jaci Jacobsen, Kennadi Smith and Ahlquist in the leadership of the 38-member squad. Also on the DHS team this season were seniors Abby Graham, Leah Karras and Sage Matthews; juniors Sylia Arnell, Zoe Bingham, Emma Gardiner, Cali Halliday, Addi Johnson, Taisa Kuma, Kambrie Mustain and Aubrey Rowe; sophomores Jade Bangerter, Brielle Barkley, Breana Barnes, Beya Chatelain, Ava Edwards, Addie Ehlers, Brooklyn Hanson, Brytinn Hill, Zoey Larsen, Ella NeVille, Hazel Ramsdell and Leilana Vagai’a; and freshmen Eden Foster, Makae Hendrix, Sydney McBride, Ellie Palmer, Ellison Parkinson, Payton Patane, Ella Randall, Frankie Scott, Hadlee Sims, Tessa Wilding and Brooklyn Wright.

“This is a young team with 12 sophomores and 11 freshmen who were able to pick up on the sport so quickly because of the leadership from the seniors and juniors,” Mortensen said. “This team loved each other and got along better than any team I’ve ever coached in my six years. We had no drama, laughed at every practice, worked so hard, and overcame so many obstacles. And for that, I am the most proud. We nicknamed them the ‘golden team’ because they were such a joy to coach.”

Mortenson was assisted by Alisha Peters, Shaylene Morris and Celesta Stephenson on the coaching staff this season.