Paysetters Compete at State Drill Competition

By Maygan Straight

In a whirl of practice, hard work, and dedication the Paysetters placed 6th at the Utah State Drill Competition at UVU of February 3rd and 4th.

“We are pretty dang proud that we placed 6th with our routine this year,” said drill team member Alexis Chanthapannah.

Every day since June the Paysetters have been working towards competition season and their work and dedication has paid off. They placed at every competition they attended this year.

“I am so proud of my team this year,” said Head Coach Chelsea Judd. “This has been my best group of girls in my 3 years of coaching. I’m already so excited for next year’s competition because of how well the girls did this year!”

They did several routines at the State competitions. One was a military routine choreographed to an edgy Dubstep Remix. The other routine, Character, “had lots of Espirit De Corps,” said Judd.

The Paysetter’s really wowed the judges and almost placed in the top six out of 19 teams.

“Their dance routine at state was the best I’ve ever seen them do,” said Judd.

The girls came off the competition floor they were all smiles and had no regrets, which is characteristic of our girls.

There is a lot of wonderful talent on this team and they always work so hard with big smiles on their faces.

One of our very own, Katie Nelson, won the 3A State Drill Down Award out of 350+ girls. Along with Shelby Mortensen, Lexie Ward, Becca Brown, and Camille Thomas all performing solo routines at the competition. Lexie Ward placed 5th at the UVU competition and 2nd at Delta out of 22 girls.

Not only do these girls have a lot of talent but they also have brains and drive. Larisa Nettleton and Savannah Davies work hard for the team while also maintaining at 3.75 GPA or higher which qualified them for All-Academic awards.

“The drill team is so much fun! We are so loud and crazy – definitely something to motivate me to get out of bed at 5am every day,” said Chanthapannah. “Plus our coaches are amazing.”