6A state drill: Late adjustments and a mostly new group lift Farmington to 3-peat

OREM — In six years since Farmington High opened its doors, the Nixelles' powerhouse drill team has set a standard: four championships since 2020, including each of the past two years.

Make it three — even with more new faces than not.

Farmington turned over more than half its roster, but some late choreography tweaks and a pair of head coaches who both won titles had the Nixelles dancing toward a three-peat at the 6A state drill team competition Saturday night at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley University.

In other words, expectations became reality.

"We lost so many good dancers last year," Farmington co-head coach Marci Hartvigsen said, "that I think other teams were putting out the energy that this was their year. We just stayed in our lane, kept our nose down, and we shocked ourselves."

Added co-head coach Shalice Larsen, who led the Nixelles to 6A titles in 2024 and 2025: "But even if we didn't, by the end of the last routine, we didn't care. They had put everything into it, had done everything possible, and put the best thing on the floor. They had already won (to us)."

Still, this year was different — and even the final Show routine that completed the sweep was different than even three days ago.

The coaches and choreography staff made significant changes — some minor, several major, and roughly 15 sections in all, Hartvigsen said — as little as three days ago to give the clown-faced character piece a cleaner, simpler look.

"We've never in eight years done what we did," said Hartvigsen, who led the Nixelles to 4A titles in 2020 and 2021 before being moved up with Larsen this year.

"It was a risk, and I had a nightmare about it last night," she added. "And it happened to be the right thing, because the kids held it. They were unreal."

More from the state drill competition

• 5A state drill: Pleasant Grove holds off loaded field for 1st title
• 4A state drill: Ridgeline claims 1st title with perfect sweep
• 2A, 3A state drill: South Sevier, Canyon View back on top

6A state drill competition

Overall

1. Farmington
2. Bingham
3. Davis
4. Corner Canyon
5. Layton

Military

1. Farmington
2. Bingham
3. Davis
4. Corner Canyon
5. Layton

Dance

1. Farmington
2. Bingham
3. Corner Canyon
4. Davis
5. Layton

Show

1. Farmington
2. Bingham
3. Layton
4. Davis
5. Corner Canyon

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