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Raton Cheer Rocks for a Three-Peat State Spirit Title

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Local area cheer teams Clayton, Maxwell and Raton travelled down to Albuquerque for the Class A-3A State Spirit Competition held at The Pit on the UNM Campus Friday morning March 18th.

Both Clayton and Raton were returning state champions from last year while the Maxwell Cheer Team performed for the first time since 2008. Each team performed two times during the competition with each performance watched closely by a panel of judges. Each team performs a routine composed of three sections Band Chant, Crowd Leading, and Fight Song not to exceed three minutes. Each team is also required to perform a specific set of stunts and is judged on the successful completion of those stunts as well as crowd participation.

As always, the completion if stiff and a small bobble in the routine could cost a team points. The score of both routines is totaled together to determine the winning teams so both performances are very important as one performance could raise a team enough to win the title.

There were 11 teams in the A-2A portion of the competition where Clayton and Maxwell competed. Raton competed in 3A which had seven teams registered to compete.  (Link to 2022_Cheer_Results)

Clayton YellowJackettes Cheer Team
Courtney Santos   Fr.
Samantha Craine   Sr.
Aishah Munoz   Fr.
Annaibel Vigil   So.
Natalia Gonzalez   Sr.
Rosalie Diaz   So.
Emily Trujillo   Sr.
Andres Montoya   Sr.
Gracie Gallagher   Sr.
Braelynn Riley   Jr.
Brooke Vigil   Fr.
Kilee Mireles   Jr.
Akira Herrera   Sr.
Aylin Santiesteban   Sr.
Reiylee Stewart   Jr.
Lauren Montoya   Jr.
Kiara Gonzalez   So.
Aubrey Wilson   Jr.
Brandy Keeth   Sr.
Lynette Keeth Head Coach
Jana Lees Head Coach

Maxwell Bears Cheer Team
Samantha Lawrence   So.
McKinsly Davis   Fr.
Cayden Flores   So.
Audriana Apodaca   Sr.
Cayleigh Brandenburg   Fr.
Terrance Gallegos   8th
D’Laney Petrini   Jr.
Shiann Weisdorfer   Sr.
Alexi Hoy   Sr.
Bella Myers   Jr.
Anita Hoy   Fr.
Patricia Trotter   8th
Destiny Gallegos   Sr.
Devirae Gallegos   Sr.
Kiara Hoy   Jr.
Head Coach Celina Apodaca
Assistant Coach Jimmy Apodaca

Raton Tigers Cheer Team
Brooklyn Lawrence   Sr.
Madison Ortiz   Sr.
Faith Allison   Sr.
Deja Garcia   Jr.
Krystle Montoya   Jr.
Alexis Sanchez   Sr.
Moses Bueno   Fr.
Calyssa Hanson   Jr.
Mary Catherine Ware   Fr.
Tyleigh Valdez   So.
Tierra Garrett   Fr.
Travis Garcia   Jr.
Madison House   8th
JayLynn Trueba   Jr.
Christina Coca Head Coach
Christina Valdez Assistant Coach
Stefanie Ware Assistant Coach

The Clayton Cheer Squad as they prepare to take the court for their performance during the State Spirit Competition in Dreamstyle Arena on the UNM Campus in Albuquerque
The CHS Cheer squad at the 2022 State Spirit Competition in Albuquerque held in the The Pit on March 18th.
The Clayton Cheer Squad preparing for their stunt Friday morning in The Pit on the UNM Campus.
The Maxwell Cheer Squad stands in the tunnel as they wait their turn to perform in the State Spirit Competition on Friday in The Pit on the UNM Campus in Albuquerque
The Maxwell Cheer Team on the DreamStyle Arena floor performing their routine during the State Spirit Competition in Albuquerque.
The Maxwell Cheer Team doing their routine in The Pit Friday morning during the 2022 State Spirit Competition in Albuquerque
Raton Cheer performs at the 2022 State Spirit Competition in Albuquerque Friday March 18th looking for a third state title.
In the Tunnel awaiting their chance to perform their Cheer with Music routine at the State Spirit Competition in Albuquerque Friday morning.
Up they go as the girls perform their stunt during the 2022 State Spirit Competition in The Pit on the UNM campus in Albuquerque Friday morning
Another stunt required for the competition during the State Spirit Competition held Friday March 18 in DreamStyle Arena on the UNM Campus in Albuquerque
The 2022 Class 3A state Champion Raton Tiger Cheer after a police escort into and through town pose for a small crowd of well wishers at Tiger Gym Friday evening.
The Raton Cheer Squad performs one last cheer called “This is our Moment” as they celebrate their third state title Friday March 18.
RHS Cheer Coaches Assistant Coach Christina Valdez, Head Coach Christina Coca and Assistant Coach Stefanie Ware
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