Clayton Ridge Drill Team earns state championship titles
The Clayton Ridge Drill Team returned home with three major state awards after competing on Dec. 3 at the Iowa State Dance and Drill Team competition in Des Moines.
The team earned state championship titles in Small School Prop and Small School Military, as well as the Judges Choice Award for its prop routine. There were three Judges Choice Awards chosen that day out of 336 routines.
In the Small School Prop division, Clayton Ridge competed against 10 other teams. Their routine featured the song, "Lazy, Hazy Days of Winter," and used impressive bi-colored wings as the props.
In the Small School Military division, Clayton Ridge topped nine teams for the top spot, performing to "Paint it Black."
The team also earned an Excellence in Academics Award.
Director Julie Rastetter and assistant director Sharon Keehner accompanied the team to the annual state event. "I'm especially proud of this young team," said Rastetter, referring to the large number of underclassmen on the team.
"The judge was having a hard time critiquing us because she couldn't find any errors," said the coach.
The two award-winning state routines will be showcased at halftime of the varsity boys home basketball games on Jan. 5 and Jan. 15.
The Iowa State Dance and Drill Team competition will be aired on Feb. 1 on Iowa Public Television and both of the Clayton Ridge Drill Team's routines will be showcased.