Precision teamwork Drill teams compete at state championships.(Neighbor)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), March, 2007 | by Findlay, Melynda

Byline: Melynda Findlay Daily Herald Staff Writer There's more to a winning drill team routine than shiny outfits and big smiles. It takes timing, precision, practice and the ability to work together as a cohesive unit. Although, smiles don't hurt, either. On Saturday, more than 300 teams from all over the state competed in the Illinois Drill Team Association state championship contest in Assembly Hall at University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign.

They twirled, kicked, danced and spun flags and other props for judges, who awarded points based on the group's creativity, originality, choreography and showmanship, as well as the difficulty of the routine and their poise. Here's a look at how area high schools fared in the competition. For more...