MOSES LAKE — Win or lose, state championship or not, the goal of the Molahiettes dance team is always the same – do the best routine possible. The 2026 team believed they had achieved that goal with their state-winning military dance routine.  

“We walked off the floor knowing that we gave it our all,” said senior captain Marisa Vela. “I was just so excited and proud of my team and all the girls – especially a lot of the freshmen. Watching them come in and being nervous to try out, then making the team, then going through the harsh summer practices, going through football and every single practice. So many of them learned so many tricks that they didn’t have at the beginning of the year, doing those trick over and over and over again until they got it, so it would be perfect every time we went out.” 

The Molahiettes successfully defended their 4A military dance title, the latest in a decades-long string of state and national championships that have made Moses Lake one of the most respected programs in the state. That history brings its own kind of pressure. 

“At first, getting there with your team, it's a lot of excitement, and then the bus parks,” Vela said. “And (you think), ‘Okay, we're really here. Okay, we have three numbers to do. So, let's focus and get this going.’ And it's kind of nerve wracking, especially for our freshmen or anyone on the team that hasn't been on the state floor.” 

Dance and drill competition is growing statewide, and more competitors add another layer of complexity and challenge. Madison Svilar said rising to the challenge is part of the appeal. 

“For me, it’s like a motivation, almost. The pressure is kind of an excitement,” she said. 

Head Coach Jaylynn Hernandez said preparation is key. 

“You can never be too prepared. That's how I feel. I think the (captains) definitely understand at this point, being seniors. They don't want to look back and think, wow, ‘I wish I would have given five more minutes, or 10 more minutes.’ They walked out on the floor knowing we gave everything, (that) they were as prepared as they could’ve been.” 

Senior captain Makenzie Holterhoff said the Moliahiettes try to focus on their own performance. 

“When you’re there, you don’t really worry about the other teams,” Holterhoff said. “We focus on ourselves and what we have to bring and try to worry about the other teams.” 

The four senior captains joined the team as freshmen, and they said the last four years have made a lasting impact. 

“We all become so close throughout the year,” said senior Jasmyn Nordstrom. “Every year is a new team with returners, but there’s also some new girls, and it just ends up like a family at the end of the year. It’s like we’ve been with them our whole lives, and we always have so much fun. There’s never a dull moment – we're always laughing and doing anything and everything.” 

That closeness helps in competition – dance requires precision, and each participant has to trust other dancers will hit the right move at the right time. And Svilar said it’s a great feeling when the team is successful. 

“I’ll never have better friends,” Svilar said.