Bruce Tippets

BTippets@cherryroad.com

Union had a goal at the start of the drill team season to be ranked in the top four in Class 3A heading into the state competition.
The Cougarettes are No.4 in the final Rating Percentage Index standings that were released by the Utah High School Activities Association Jan. 24.
Canyon View (No. 1), Juan Diego (No. 2), Juab (No. 3) and Ogden (No. 5) make up the top teams.
“It’s a great accomplishment to be ranked in the top four in the state,” Union coach Kandi Iverson said.
Union is scheduled to compete in the Class 3A state tournament at Utah Valley University in Orem Feb. 2. The teams are placed into different pods based on the RPI rankings. The Cougarettes, Summit Academy, Richfield and Grand County are in the same pod.
The top two squads from each pod advance to the finals Feb. 3.
“We plan to bring the fire to the state competition,” Iverson said. “We need to execute what we have practiced and show the judges our love for dance. We have worked hard this year and can’t wait to show everyone what we are made of. If they accomplish that, no matter what, it will be a success.”
Union placed second at region drill in the team standings Jan. 21. They finished second in the show and dance routines.
“We are so proud of our girls on how they did at region,” Iverson said. “Our girls have continued to push hard and challenge themselves all season long.”
Juab won the region title, but Iverson believes Union is right on the same page with the top team.
“We have a really tough region,” Iverson added. “We knew everyone would come prepared and ready to compete. It’s always a battle, but that’s what makes it fun.”
Union leader Zaylie Davidson said Juab has a big team with a lot of girls on the roster, which makes a huge difference.
‘It was a really good accomplishment to get second,” Davidson said. “It was a little disappointing because we wanted a different outcome. I’m really proud of how we did.”
Union’s Courtney Clayburn won the regional drill-down competition.
“We are so excited for Courtney,” Iverson said. “There is zero room for error in drill down. Anything less than perfection will cause you to be out. So to say that she was absolutely flawless would not be an exaggeration.”
Sariah Ross, Abbey Williams and Davidson were named to the all-region drill team.
“We have a great team with great leaders,” Iverson said. “All three who were selected for all-region represent the caliber of our entire team.”
Davidson has been on the team for the past four years.
“We have improved a lot over the last four years, especially this year,” Davidson said. “I felt that the competition season went really well for us. We just have continued to progress to get better.”
She is the secretary for the team. Davidson is over the military routine.
“I decide the outfits that we use in the competitions,” Davidson said. “I started to dance in the studio when I was little. My older sister was also on the drill team. It has been a good experience to be on the team.”
She added the military routine this season is different than what the Cougarettes have done in the past.
“We have the Star Wars theme with two different colors,” Davidson said. “It brings variety to the floor. The colors are black, red and white.

Class RPI standings

1. Canyon View, 1.13; 2. Juan Diego, 1.53; 3. Juab, 1.80; 4. Union, 1.93; 5. Ogden, 2.40; 6. South Summit, 2.80; 7. Grand County, 3.60; 8. Grantsville, 3.93; 9. Manti, 3.93; 10. Delta, 4.13; 11. Carbon, 4.47; 12. North Sanpete, 4.47; 13. Ben Lomond, 4.53; 14. Richfield, 5.40; 15. Emery, 5.67; 16. American Leadership Academy. 6.60; 17. Summit Academy, 7.00.