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Orem • The Bountiful drill team maintained its stranglehold on the Class 4A title, and Bingham sailed to its second straight 5A crown at Friday's Drill Team State Championships at Utah Valley University.

Bountiful won its 13th state championship under coach Jan Whittaker, wrapping up its most dominating performance ever.

"This year was really exciting because we swept every competition," Whittaker said.

Bountiful finished first in all three categories — military, dance and kick — in every competition it entered, earning a perfect season. The team, nicknamed the Mandonelles, wowed judges and a raucous Bountiful cheering section with their hair-whipping dance routine and ballet-inspired kick performance.

Sophomore Emily Bryson attributes the team's success to "love and unity" among its dancers.

"We all just meshed," she said.

Whittaker agreed that this year's squad was the most close-knit group she's guided in a long time.

Bingham finished first in dance and kick and second in military. A large Bingham contingent cheered wildly when the Minerettes were announced as champions.

"It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life," said sophomore Melody Clyde.

Brighton finished first in military and fourth overall in 5A.

Second-year school Maple Mountain High proved it's already a drill powerhouse with its third-place overall finish in 4A, and Cottonwood is beginning to assert itself as a force in drill. After failing to finish in the top five in any category last year, Cottonwood took second place overall in 5A.

Bonneville, Mountain Crest and Dixie took second, fourth and fifth place overall in 4A, while Copper Hills and Lone Peak finished third and fifth in 5A.

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