Juan Diego Drill Team captures national title

Friday, Mar. 13, 2015

DRAPER — The Juan Diego Catholic High School SilverLine Drill team placed 1st overall, winning the title of Small Division National Champions, in the small group division at the National Contest of Champions High School Dance and Drill Team competition in Orlando, Fla. on Feb. 28. 

This was a private competition, not sponsored by the Utah High School Athletic Association (UHSAA); entry fees were charged for each category.

The largest team in their category had 15 members; the JDCHS team has 13 members.

The team was also awarded $1,000, jackets and a banner; they received trophies for Judge’s Choice and Overall Open Routine. 

The SilverLine Drill Team defeated more than 20 small division teams to take 1st in military, 1st overall in dance, 2nd overall in kick, winning the highest score dance routine and best choreography for military in their division, said Matthew Delly, SilverLine Drill team coach. Juan Diego placed fourth overall in military when the scores of all divisions of schools competing in military were totaled. 

Delly and Shannon Mortensen, Bingham High School coach, won best choreography in military.

Bingham High School won Grand Champion this year, scoring the highest number points out of all divisions that competed. 

Delly, who is a new coach this year, said that the team chose the word “conquer” to motivate them throughout the season. 

“After 10 months of 6 a.m. practices, rigorous stretch and conditioning classes and aggressive practice sessions, we surpassed all expectations and truly did conquer,” he said.

During the regular UHSAA season, SilverLine had a clean sweep at their first school competition. They were first in all three routines and first overall in 3A school and sweepstakes champions, said Delly. “They were the highest scoring school in 1A through 5A at the second competition, making them the sweepstake champions yet again. At the team’s last competition they beat 12 3A schools, making them undefeated in the military division all year.” 

SilverLine placed second overall at the UHSAA Regional competition and then went on to compete at UHSAA state competition, where they placed 6th overall. 

“These girls exude class, confidence, and love for the sport. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said Delly. “It’s been a remarkable year; one for the books, a successful season.”

Juan Diego sophomore Gentry Stevenson said she has enjoyed every minute of the two years she has been on the drill team.

“I think we did pretty good, but I think we could have done better at state. We had already beaten the teams that placed higher than us at invitationals,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson thinks the main reason was because the other teams [at state] were bigger, with 20 to 30 members, and the choreography and songs were amazing, she said. 

“They weren’t plain and simple like the regular dances,” she said. “I am still proud of how we did, because from not even going to state last year to sixth in state [this year] is a tremendous honor.”

Sophomore Brenna Connely was the only SilverLine member to receive an All-State distinction this year.

“[Delly] is a lot more dedicated than any of our past coaches. He is also a lot more clever than any other coach we’ve had,” Connely said. “Now I have 13 other friends that I am a lot closer to, and most of them are my best friends.”

Freshman Rylie Leeson was new to the team this year and was unsure what to expect. “The best thing about this year was seeing our improvement and coming together to overcome all of our stigmas. No one expected us to get this far, but we did,” Leeson said. 

The team members say they have never been closer, and that is a reason for their success.