Demon Cheer hosted the Demon Throwdown on Jan. 7, an NMAA sanctioned event. This year’s winners were Valencia High School in the cheer category, and St. Mike’s Pony Express in the dance category. (Demon Cheer did not compete because they were the event hosts.)

“We started hosting this event back in 2011-2012 as a way for northern New Mexico schools to fulfill a requirement set by NMAA,” Coach Gina Branch said, explaining that all cheer and dance teams are required to participate in at least three sanctioned events to be eligible for the state competition, which is held each year in March. Because northern teams often found it difficult to travel to Albuquerque and the southern part of the state, the Demon cheer coaches at the time (Nathanial Batista in addition to Gina Branch) came up with the concept of a “mini state competition” to help teams qualify.

“Our awesome gym, with its stadium feel similar to the UNM PIT, gives teams the chance to experience competing in front of a crowd with all the same excitement,” Coach Branch said, adding that Demon Cheer also used this event as a fundraising opportunity.

Coach Branch added that the event wouldn’t have been possible without her “amazing” assistant coaches — Marissa Branch (SFHS class of 2014) and Micaela Apodaca (SFHS class of 2012) — and the “fantastic booster parents” Anne Nava, Kathy Ortiz, Tanya Rodriguez, and Deborah Anaya.

Although the Santa Fe High team did not officially compete, they did perform and were judged, which provided valuable feedback for their own success at state.

“The event was fun, exciting, and successful,” Coach Branch said.