5A state drill: Bountiful caps long road back with state-record 22nd title, 1st since 2019

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OREM — With arguably the program's biggest name in the gym receiving an exceptional honor of her own, Bountiful High announced a triumphant return to the top of the state drill competition Saturday afternoon.

The Mandonelles won dance and show, and finished second in military, to unseat Davis County rival Viewmont and clinch the program's first 5A state drill championships since 2019 at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University.

Bountiful held off three-time defending champion Viewmont, though the Vykelles didn't make it easy with a win in military. Spanish Fork, Bonneville and Cedar Valley rounded out the top five.

"It's been a long time coming, and it's been many years to get up to this point," Bountiful coach Alba Butler said. "This year's team was insane; they were undefeated all preseason, came into state undefeated — and they never got comfortable.

"It didn't matter how many times they got first place, they worked harder and harder. They wanted to change routines that would make them better. They just never got comfortable, and wanted to put out their best every single time."

It's the Mandonelles' 22nd state title in program history, extending its lead to five over second-place Duchesne for the most since the Utah High School Activities Association sanctioned the sport in 1983. But the latest had a touch of nostalgia, or even history, to it.

Saturday was also the day longtime UHSAA administrator Jan Whittaker, who won 18 championships during a 30-year career as head coach at Bountiful, was inducted into the association's Circle of Fame.

Whittaker now runs championships for drill, esports, golf and volleyball, as well as the association's emerging sports program and other duties. But she's never forgotten her Bountiful roots.

"We loved to see that. It was amazing," said Butler, moments after all nine finalists stormed her team to celebrate the latest championship. "Jan has been nothing but supportive, especially helping me out, personally.

"We both got to have a little win today, and it felt like a full-circle moment — a very Bountiful Redhawk moment."