Ad
La Cueva cheer and dance teams post top-10 finishes at national competitions
La Cueva cheerleaders get pumped during the La Cueva’s homecoming football game against Rio Rancho at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. The La Cueva Bears won the game against the Rio Rancho Rams by a score of 35-14.
Published
Modified
The La Cueva cheerleading squad, and also its dance squad, attended separate national competitions last weekend in Orlando, Florida, and both posted top-10 finishes.
The La Cueva cheerleading squad placed ninth at the University Cheer Association High School Nationals, in the traditional category. This, Bears coach Daniela Knee said, is the biggest national event for cheerleaders and La Cueva competed against some of the best teams in the country.
Teams can qualify for nationals in one of two ways: through a regional qualifier, which New Mexico did not offer, or through a video submission.
La Cueva submitted a video with its routine last November, earning its 24-member team an invite to nationals. The Bears also performed a routine in the “game day” division, but did not advance.
In another part of Orlando, the La Cueva dance squad placed fourth in the military category at the Dance Team Union Nationals. The Bears competed in both pom and military.
La Cueva did its military routine in the prelims, then the semifinals, and ultimately the 18-person squad placed fourth in the country out of 33 teams, coach Yvonne Schafer said.
Both La Cueva teams, as with other sports teams in Albuquerque Public Schools, left the state as part of APS’ decision to allow each individual varsity squad to leave the state, if they wish, for one game or competition, so long as the individual program pays its way.
“It’s a really big deal for us,” Schafer said.
