High school drill team: Kanab wins 2A state title, halts South Sevier’s 8-year dominance

Published: Feb 5, 2022, 12:09 a.m. MST

Kanab celebrates their 2A drill team state title at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. Laura Seitz, Deseret News

James has been covering high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News for three decades.

Kanab pulled off what seemed impossible at Friday’s 2A drill team state championship — it beat South Sevier.

For the first time since 2013 South Sevier didn’t lift a state championship trophy, with Kanab edging the perennial favorites at UVU on a dramatic night of competition.

Kanab finished first in Dance and second in the Military and Show categories. South Sevier finished first in Military and Show but third in Dance.

South Sevier competed in 3A the past three seasons, and while it was dominating that classification Kanab won 2A state titles of its own 2019 and 2020.

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Realignment by the UHSAA had the teams competing together again, but Kanab put together a fantastic state tournament to win its third state championship in school history.

“The KHS Larriette drill team this year was like the little engine that could. They had so much fight in them. It’s the smallest team I have ever had 14 girls, with 7 returners and 7 newbies. We were calling it a building year, but they wouldn’t accept that role. They believed all year they could win state,” said Kanab coach Shellie Stewart.

“We did well during the season, but we hadn’t won a single competition. After getting second place in region, we added extra practices and pushed to take our routines to the next level. The coaches studied score sheets and judges comments strategizing any possible way to improve our routines and give us the edge. We left no stone unturned. The team received these changes and upgrades with eagerness hungry for the win. They worked their tails off. We never lost hope and we peaked at the right time. Our theme this year was ‘one team, one heart.’ We had buy-in from the team, coaches and parents who where a huge support. This is truly an underdog story of perseverance and sheer fight.”

South Sevier’s streak of eight straight state championships is the third-longest streak in state history. Its first four titles came in 2A and its most recent four in 3A. Duchesne holds the record with 18 straight titles from 2004 to 2018.

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Gunnison Valley finished third on Friday, with Enterprise in fourth and Parowan in fifth.

Members of Kanab’s team are: Hallie Beckstead, Ciara Brown, Kaidee Clarkson, Kemmer Eggenberger, Maya Hafen, Paige Hines, Allie Houston, Sara Jacobs, Kylee Jones, Mia Kabella, Harlee Riggins, Leila Seely, Shelby Springall and Sophia Stewart.

Assistant coaches are Emily Koelliker and Mikkel Glazier.