RCHS cheerleaders and dance teams celebrate
Rock Canyon High School cheerleaders and dance teams had a lot to celebrate last month. Varsity dance team and JV cheerleading both took the state title for the 24-25 season, each for the third straight year. Varsity cheerleaders and JV dance team both won state runner-up. The teams competed at state competitions held at the Denver Coliseum.
Varsity dance team made history at state competition
The Rock Canyon Dance Team (RCDT), also known as poms, won the state title for the third year in a row in the 5A division. The win sets a record in school history and in Colorado High School Activities Association’s (CHSAA) history. RCDT holds the most state titles at the high school.
“After four years in this outstanding program, I am truly grateful to end on such an amazing note,” said senior Ainsley Love. “I am so proud of this team and my coaches who make it all happen! Being able to make history with girls you call family is so special.”
More than 20 teams competed in the 5A division. The win marks the eighth overall RCDT title for the Jaguars and RCHS’s fifth victory in the last six years.
“We compete in a sport that comes down to two minutes,” said coach Christina Leone, who has coached for 22 years. “We trained together; we leaned on each other and built each other up, erased doubts and created memories.”
The Rock Canyon Dance Team celebrating their big win as CHSAA State Champions.
Junior varsity cheerleaders hit new heights
Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) junior varsity (JV) cheerleaders won first place in the 2025 Spirit State Championships 5A, co-ed routine for the third year in a row. “When this team went to the mat, they believed in themselves, fought for each other and were truly amazing,” shared Coach Connie Schubring.
Practicing two hours a day, four to five days a week, JV cheer competed in other competitions almost every Saturday beginning October 18. In November, the team won first in the Continental League Competition, a high school athletic conference that includes many large high schools in the south Denver metro area.
“I am incredibly proud of all of my teammates and all the work hard work we go through,” said senior Ryan Whitham-O’Dell. “I could not be more grateful that this is my final team as a RCHS cheerleader.”
RCHS JV Cheer competing for the 5A co-ed competition at the state championship.
Varsity cheerleaders and JV dance team secured state runner-up
Rock Canyon High School varsity cheerleaders won state runner-up in the 5A, All-Girl Cheer state championship. Twenty-one teams competed for three days.
“These athletes were the first team to compete in the finals and performed a perfect, zero-deduction routine, with nearly no errors,” said coach Amanda Mundaca. “There are years when you have a team that you know has ‘it’ and this team is definitely one that does!”
The Jaguars practiced 10-14 hours per week as well as cheered at football, soccer and boys and girls basketball games.
Varsity cheerleaders competing for the state championship in the All-Girl Cheer division.
It was another successful season for the Rock Canyon High School JV Dance Team, who placed second at the 2025 State Challenge in December, in addition to being named regional champions and League runner-up.
The JV team, coached by RC alumni Grace Stutler, has remained in the top two for more than 10 years at the state level.
RCHS JV Dance Team competing at the 2025 State Challenge. The team placed second in the 5A Pom division.
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos
