Bingham High School’s Minerettes still best in nation

For the fourth year in a row, the Bingham High drill team has won the Grand National Championship. This year, the Minerettes swept all six categories – Jazz, Military, Hip Hop, Dance, Kick and Lyrical March 1-2 in Orlando, Fla.

“This year has been an absolutely amazing year,” said co-coach Erin Richardson, who has been Bingham’s coach for four years.  “Everything just came together so perfectly – the girls, the music, choreography, the costumes, my co-coach Jamyn Miller. All of those things combined made this year so enjoyable and successful.”

In the state competition held Feb. 1, the Minerettes placed second behind Copper Hills with second-place showings in the Military, Dance and Kick categories. Team president Lexi Yraguen and dance captain Kinsie Jaramillo received All-State honors, while Jaramillo was also given Academic All-State recognition.

Bingham claimed the Region 4 championship Jan. 26 at Lone Peak High School by sweeping all three divisions. Team vice president Melody Clyde, dance captain Paige Moss and historian Hannah Romney were named All-Region. Every senior on the squad – Yraguen, Moss, Clyde, Jaramillo, Romney and Kenzie Bailey – achieved Academic All-Region status.

“I’m incredibly proud of my team this year and all that we accomplished,” Richardson said.

Others on the Minerettes team were costume chair Sydney Bloxham and fundraising chairs Pyper Thorn and Blaikly Wright, along with Kassie Andus, Alyssa Bagley, Morgan Bell, Micki Crowther, Hannah Erickson, Sidney Ford, Cierra Gregersen, Makayla Larson, Abbi Liddell, Megan Palmer, Bailie Petersen, Makayla Smith, Hannah Spencer and Mikel Young.

“I can’t say enough good things about the girls I was so fortunate to coach this year,” Richardson said. “Not only are they talented, hard working and passionate, but they are kind, humble and simply remarkable young women.”