Teaching a child to ride a bike is hard work. It usually involves running alongside, holding onto the handle bars and the back of the seat. Soon you can release your hold and watch as the child rides off. The West Jordan High School Drill team coaches have been running  alongside their team for two seasons, but they’re seeing improvement in their new team.

“This year was much better than last year. Our team is still in its infancy. Considering we are a new team, we are really quite proud,” drill head coach Mitcee Collings said.

The Jagline recently completed its second season. Collings said they did not measure their success in awards received, but in progress as a team.

They competed in dance, kick and military routines. Collings and assistant coach Lacie Horman completed the choreography.

“We started practicing last April. The girls worked three hours a day during the summer. They performed at halftime of football games, basketball games and many assemblies. Our progress was not measured in winning competitions. It was in our strides. We are getting better each season,” Collings said.

The drill team competed in four competitions this season:  Salt Lake Valley Classic Dec. 13 at Juan Diego High School;  Excalibur Classic at Copper Hills High School Dec. 21; Rocky Mountain Drill Invitational Jan. 10 at Corner Canyon High School; and Region at Brighton High School Jan. 22.

“We have worked so hard, and this is a great group of girls. They are a great team. Once the girls experience drill, it becomes part of them, and they do not want to give it up. They participate in so many extra activities around the school, fundraising and getting ready to perform,” Collings said.

The Jagline final showcase is scheduled for March 6 at 6 p.m. Auditions for next year’s team (grades 9-12) begin April 23.