Metro nets two champs
Valley’s dominance in dance continues at spirit championships
New coach, but the same result.
The Valley High School dance team on Saturday night continued its reign over New Mexico, winning its sixth consecutive big-school state championship, edging Carlsbad in the Class 6A competition at this weekend’s state spirit championships at Dreamstyle Arena.
The Vikettes’ two-day score of 180.90 points was two points better than the Cavegirls’.
LeAnn Hufnagel, who was part of three state championship dance teams at Valley earlier in this decade and in fact only graduated from Valley four years ago, came back to coach her alma mater to a blue trophy in her first season. She took over the Vikettes after the departure in the offseason of longtime coach Sandra
Naranjo.
“It’s unbelievable,” Hufnagel said. “It’s a different feeling than winning it as a dancer, but I feel more proud because I put my trust in someone else.”
Valley’s team of eight, which includes one senior, donned eye-catching Wonder Woman outfits for their Saturday morning performance and made a seamless transition to a new coach. It certainly helped that she was one of their own.
“Keep the tradition going,” said that lone 12th grader, Marisa Aragon. “The Vikettes have a tradition that never ends.”
Eldorado was the other metro-area state champion, winning the 6A cheerleading title. The Eagles, runners-up last year to Mayfield, scored 177.47 points to finish four points ahead of runner-up La Cueva.
“Absolutely amazing,” Eldorado coach Katherine Ela said. “This team has come such a long way, and it’s so well deserved.”
This was, relatively speaking, a team comprised largely of newcomers, Ela said.
“We figured out the kids, figured out their strengths, and got them where they needed to be,” she said.
“We were super motivated this year,” Eldorado senior Taryn Casias said. “I think we just wanted it more.”
The Eagles were sitting on the top rows of the south end of the Pit when their name was called Saturday night. At the state competition, teams don’t know who has won until it is announced; there are no leaderboards.
“I was shaking so hard,” Eldorado senior Lauren Saad said as the team waited for the final results. “It’s indescribable.”
Other results
Hope Christian won a pair of second-place trophies, in Class 4A cheer and dance.
Taos’ cheerleaders, by composite score, performed better than any team in the event except Class 5A state champion Lovington and 6A winner Eldorado. The Tigers won comfortably over the Huskies, by 10 points.
St. Michael’s was the 1A-4A dance champion, outscoring the Huskies, the defending champions, by nearly five points. St. Mike’s also was the runnerup to West Las Vegas in 1A-4A co-ed cheer, where the Donettes successfully defended their 2017 crown.
Roswell High’s powerhouse dance team — arguably a stronger dynasty than even Valley’s — recorded the highest score of any team in any class, scoring 185.60 points over two days as the Coyotes won state for the seventh year in a row.
From the metro area, other schools to earn trophies on Saturday were: Atrisco Heritage (third in 6A dance); St. Pius (second in 5A dance); Sandia Prep (third in 1A-4A dance); and Rio Rancho (third in 6A cheer). Last year’s 5A state cheer champ, Valencia, finished second to Lovington.
There were several repeat state champions in cheer, with Questa (1A2A), Pecos (3A) and Taos. Taos has won four years in a row.
Oñate led a southern sweep in 5A/6A co-ed cheer, with the Knights, Hobbs and Las Cruces earning trophies.