High school drill: Pleasant Grove wins 5A state championship, first in school history

Published: Jan 31, 2026, 11:41 p.m. MST

The Pleasant Grove Vikettes celebrate after winning the overall 2026 5A team drill championship at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

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

Over the past three years, Pleasant Grove’s drill team has quietly been very good, finishing fifth in the absolutely loaded 6A state tournament all three years.

After dropping down to 5A this season and competing against schools more its size, Pleasant Grove accomplished something no drill team in school history ever has — win a state championship.

The Vikettes finished first in the Dance and Show categories on Saturday evening at UVU to dethrone Bountiful for the 5A drill team state championship.

“Our theme this year was legacy. Coming into 5A and a new division we wanted to make our mark. We wanted to continue the legacy that came before us and pave a new path forward,” said Pleasant Grove coach Sami Jo Carson.

The Redhawaks finished first in military, second in dance and third in show to finish in second place overall.

Spanish Fork, Viewmont and West Field rounded out the top five in 5A.

Viewmont was ranked first in the UHSAA RPI heading into the state tournament, with coach Carson’s Pleasant Grove squad a close second.

All season, the Vikettes believed they could win and the momentum built throughout the multiple rounds of the state championships.

“This team came together from the beginning of the season with a big goal in mind. They held each other accountable and pushed each other to be the best on and off the floor. Every girl on this team played a role in making this dream happen,” said Carson.

Teams compete during the 2026 5A drill team championship at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Roy performs their show routine during the 2026 5A drill team championship at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

The Bountiful Mandonelles celebrate after being announced as the winner for the 2026 5A military drill routine at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Woods Cross performs their military routine during the 2026 5A drill team championship at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Brighton performs their military routine during the 2026 5A drill team championship at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Bountiful performs their show routine during the 2026 5A drill team championship at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Team members for Pleasant Grove this year are: Emma Berg, Emmy Bezzant, Leah Blake, Bella Brady, Cada Brady, Brooklyn Brown, Chloe Campbell, Elle DeVore, Stella Fox, Gracie Gray, Skylee Green, Morgan Hansen, Josie Heriford, Marinn Jackson, Oakley Jones, Journey Kirby, Charley Laycock, Tessa Lillywhite, Afton Mitchell, Andie Oldham, Ally Olsen, Lyla Olsen, Audrey Perkes, Adley Price, Raegan Reed, Mya Rindlisbacher, Jane Shoell, Ellery Sorenson, Leia Story, Mya Tuaileva and Taylee Warner.

Assistant coach along with Carson are Peyton Feller, Brynnley Huntsman and Tyler Jackson.

Class 5A state championships

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Team standings

Pleasant Grove
Bountiful
Spanish Fork
Viewmont
West Field

Military

Bountiful
Pleasant Grove
Spanish Fork
Hillcrest
Viewmont

Dance

Pleasant Grove
Bountiful
Spanish Fork
West Field
Viewmont

Show

Pleasant Grove
Spanish Fork
Bountiful
Viewmont
West Field

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