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Raton Cheer & Dance Perform at State… Cheer Wins State Title!!

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media –

 

After months of hard work and practice, it comes down to two short performances for cheer and dance teams as they compete for a state title at the NMAA State Spirit Competition held this year in Wise Pies Arena, aka The Pit in Albuquerque on April 1 and 2, 2016.

RHS Cheer Coach Linda Ortiz told the crowd at the state preview performance on Tuesday in Tiger Gym they don’t have a second or third quarter to make adjustments or changes, it all comes down to two short performances of one and a quarter minutes and two and half minutes that are judged by five judges and scored on several factors.

As coach Ortiz celebrates 25 years of coaching cheer her 2015-2016 cheer team gave her a very special prize in the form of a state title to help celebrate the years. Ortiz who is a tough coach and is often thought of as being hard on her girls is always surprised and pleased to hear from many of her former cheerleaders as they call or text to wish her well during the state competition. Its those well wishes that Ortiz says she holds dear to her heart and makes it all worthwhile.

She is very proud of this year’s team made up in part with seven eighth graders who she noted has really stepped up and become a big part of the team. These girls have been with the team from the start this year which began back in June 2015 in earnest with practices and camps.

Cheer ended their Friday performance in first place just over nine points ahead of Pecos which they did with an almost perfect routine. They continued that winning trend on Saturday and at the end of the morning session they had outscored the other three teams in class 3A. Pecos(162.08) ended the day just under 12 points behind Raton(173.86) for second place finish over Tucumcari(148.32) and Estancia(122.96).

The RHS TigerCats Dance Team also performed at the State Spirit Competition in what might be called a rebuilding year for them. Coach Sue Holland noted at the state preview performances that the girls have had success during the three competitions that they have competed in on their journey to the state competition. Her team is made up of two seniors and five eighth graders something that is new to Raton dance teams.

While Holland is also very proud of her team she realizes that the younger girls don’t have the skill set that seniors Anjelica Lopez and Caylee Garrett have.  Even though the RHS TigerCats had solid performances at The Pit they are also required to compete against class AAAA teams which include the private schools that have dominated the competition for years.

The TigerCats finished day one in fifth only two points behind Taos who was in fourth. As the Saturday morning session ended it was once again the three private schools of St. Mike’s (174.70), Sandia Prep(169.40) and Hope Christian(162.70) as 1,2,3. Taos(158.80)  and Raton(151.40) followed it up in fourth and fifth.

The teams will now take a break for about a month and regroup. They will once again begin the yearlong season with camps, practices and specialized training such as tumbling and gymnastic style moves to help with their routines. They will be back on the field and court once football and volleyball begin in the fall ready to perform and inspirit the hometown fans.

Raton Cheer Team: Aliyah Samora, 8th; Alyssa Aragon, Sr; Ariona Marquez, 8th; Brianna Marquez, Soph; Estefani Colin-Martinez, Fr; Frieda Barela, 8th; Gabrielle Sanchez, Soph; Jennifer Acosta 8th; Kailie Village-Center, Jr; Laynee Segura, 8th; Mia Maestas, Jr; Nayelli Acosta, Sr; Rachael Mestas, Fr; Rachel Sandoval, 8th; Tayler Sandoval 8th

Raton TigerCats Dance:  Anjelica Lopez, Sr; Caylee Garrett, Sr; Joie Chiaramonte, 8th, Jordyn Brooks, 8th, Kaitlin Silva, 8th, Lillian Romero, 8th, Melinda Murcia, 8th, Mira Maestas, 8th

Link to the State Spirit_Results

RHS Cheer during their state preview performance in tiger Gym on Tuesday before the State Spirit Competition
RHS Cheer during their state preview performance in tiger Gym on Tuesday before the State Spirit Competition

 

TigerCats Dance team take the floor as they showoff their state routine during the state preview performances at Tiger Gym on Tuesday
TigerCats Dance team take the floor as they showoff their state routine during the state preview performances at Tiger Gym on Tuesday

 

RHS Cheer in one of their stunts at the state preview performance on Tuesday
RHS Cheer in one of their stunts at the state preview performance on Tuesday

 

The TigerCats Dance Team during their state preview performance in Tiger Gym
The TigerCats Dance Team during their state preview performance in Tiger Gym

 

The girls were welcomed home Saturday evening after bringing home the state title, by an enthusiastic crowd of well wishers.
The girls were welcomed home Saturday evening after bringing home the state title, by an enthusiastic crowd of well wishers.

 

L to R NMAA Associate Director Dusty Young, Brian Denton, Alyssa Aragon and Karie Lee Chard Raton's Alyssa Aragon was recognized Saturday morning for winning the El Richard/Frances Walsh Scholarship. Aragon received the plaque at a ceremony during the state basketball championships where cheer and dance teams also compete in a competition.
L to R NMAA Associate Director Dusty Young, Brian Denton, Alyssa Aragon and Karie Lee Chard
Raton’s Alyssa Aragon was recognized Saturday morning for winning the El Richard/Frances Walsh Scholarship. Aragon received the plaque at a ceremony during the state basketball championships where cheer and dance teams also compete in a competition.

 

The cheers go up as the announcement was mad that Raton Cheer had won the Class 3A cheer competition
The cheers go up as the announcement was mad that Raton Cheer had won the Class 3A cheer competition

 

The faces say it all as the Raton Cheer squad celebrate their win at the NMAA State Spirit Competition Saturday in Wise Pies Arena, aka The Pit
The faces say it all as the Raton Cheer squad celebrate their win at the NMAA State Spirit Competition Saturday in Wise Pies Arena, aka The Pit

 

The joy is evident on the faces of these girls as they celebrate the win at the State Spirit Competition
The joy is evident on the faces of these girls as they celebrate the win at the State Spirit Competition

 

State Spirit-Cheer 4-2-16_8206
The joy is evident on the faces of these girls as they celebrate the win at the State Spirit Competition

 

Raton's State Champions
Raton’s State Champions

 

Seniors Nayelli Acosta and Alyssa Aragon. Aragon told KRTN that she really felt good about things after the first day of competition. The underclass girls told their Senior captains at the state preview performance that they will be missed next year.
Seniors Nayelli Acosta and Alyssa Aragon. Aragon told KRTN that she really felt good about things after the first day of competition. The underclass girls told their Senior captains at the state preview performance that they will be missed next year.

 

Outside of the The Pit the girls gather for another celebratory photo.
Outside of the The Pit the girls gather for another celebratory photo.

 

The TigerCats Dance Team during their Saturday Pom performance
The TigerCats Dance Team during their Saturday Pom performance

 

The TigerCats Dance team performed a jazz routine with only four girls on Saturday.
The TigerCats Dance team performed a jazz routine with only four girls on Saturday.

 

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