Cheerleaders take 1st in Hobbs
By John Earp
This past Saturday in Hobbs, the Jal High School Cheerleaders took 1st place in Cheer with Music and 2nd place in Game Day. Some of the teams they competed against included Tatum, Eunice, Capitan, Fort Sumner, and Tucumcari. Cheer Coach Katia Martinez says her team has made significant improvement thus far this year.
Martinez says, “We have a spreadsheet that we’ve been keeping up with all of their scores and their progression has been getting better every single competition.” The team will have their final competition at the NMAA State Cheer Competition March 21st in Albuquerque. Martinez says the girls will be working hard during spring break to polish their routines so they can be their best at the state competition.
Coach says, “So right now, this is what I told my team was that we have the big picture now. All we have to do is keep adding the little details that makes it perfect. We’re honestly, we’re pretty close, but we still, you know, like any team, we still have things we need to work on and I’m going to be making sure that those things are fixed by March 21st.”
The JHS Cheer Team consists of Seniors Odaliz Mendoza and Aulani Mendez, Juniors Janice Ramirez and Amyrra Stone, Sophomores Yahaira Amaro, Amylah Melancon, Alejandra Mendoza, Yaracely Juarez, Emery Melancon, Ruby Gallegos, Issela Mendoza, and Olivia Ramirez, and Freshman Elizabeth Lujan. Katia Martinez is head coach, assisted by Coach Priscilla Zamora. Their mascot/manager is Luis Lujan. Manager/Student Trainer is Savannah Moore.