Back in the summer, Spirit Week got the Cottonwood Chaparrals geared up for the long preseason ahead of them. Lots of high-fitness classes, a 40-yard-dash on the stadium track, runs in costumes in high heat, and more. 

At the end of it, they all got Minky Couture blankets that had matching black-and-white-stripes. 

But, that’s not the reward they’re all looking for. That’s not the reason they tried out in mid-April—during the last school year. 

The reason the Chaparrals want to come back, that can come back, is simple: they have some unfinished business. 

“It’s officially competition season!” exclaimed Cottonwood head coach Jill Garcia. 

They started that business on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Mustang Classic at Herriman High School. 

Cottonwood (0-1) finished in seventh place overall at Mustang, after three seventh-place finishes in military, dance and show disciplines. 

“First competition was a success,” Garcia said. “Good job today, ladies … we love you!” 

For these Chaparrals decked out in four different costumes, it was the first of four competitions and the last until early January. 

Ranked No. 16 for most of last year and as high as No. 14, the Chaps fall to No. 18 in 4A’s final RPI rankings that seeded drill teams for the state championships last February pushed Cottonwood out of contention for the chance to compete there. 

Under the direction of Garcia, this drill team has shown marked improvement, year over year, since she arrived from Brighton High. 

The rebuilding project for a Chaparrals team that has never won a state title, but that has come agonizingly close to winning one several years through the decades, all began three years ago with an emphasis on fundraising. 

After that took root, and the Chaps were raising enough funds to cover their expenses, the focus turned toward building traditions, some of which Garcia brought over from Brighton. 

That included Spirit Week, among other things. 

Since that point this past summer, the Chaparrals have performed at freshmen orientation, Colts football and basketball games and at other events. Between those events, they hold practices on school days and on Saturdays, all for the chance to get back at the UHSAA for excluding them last year. 

That has undoubtedly been Cottonwood’s objective since it dropped two spots in the final week after having been virtually guaranteed a spot at state. 

For these Chaparrals, the focus now turns to competing. Behind leadership from Sawyer Larsen, their president, along with Drill Mistress Mia Call and Social Chair Bella Ashdown, there is plenty of talent to make a serious run at a state spot. 

Cottonwood now has three opportunities in three consecutive weekends in January to do so: at Layton High on Jan. 3, at Alta Jan. 10 and finally, the region competition at Jordan High, Jan. 17. 

The other dates of note to keep your eye on? 

When the UHSAA releases its first 4A drill team RPI rankings on Jan. 6, followed by its second release on Jan. 13. 

The penultimate RPI release that determines which teams go to the state championships is taking place on Jan. 21.