From staff reports

What’s the secret to the ongoing success of Decatur High School’s drill team?

“I will tell them that they suck,” said coach Lindsay Starr. “When they hate me, we’re going in the right direction.”

Starr’s tough-love approach has led to improved showings in state competition each year during her five-year coaching stint.

After capturing the West Central District crown, the 20-member dance team will vie for the state championship March 21 in Yakima.

“We’re bringing the heat to state,” said Starr, a 2001 Decatur grad. The team finished ninth, fourth, third and second, respectively, in the previous four years under Starr’s helm.

“All I want to do is win state,” she said. “We’re a powerhouse drill team.”

This will be Starr’s final season with the drill team. She plans to pursue a degree in early childhood education, but is satisfied to leave the team better than she found it.

Jessica Klahvun, the team’s student captain, appreciates Starr’s no-nonsense coaching that has molded one of the state’s best drill teams.

“It gets us somewhere. We use it as fuel,” Klahvun said during practice March 11. “She’s very truthful. She doesn’t lie to us.”

The Decatur team, which competes from November through March, is noted for performing organized dance routines with varying themes. To watch a video clip from the March 11 practice, visit www.fedwaymirror.com or www.youtube.com/federalwaymirror/.