The Spartan Cheerleaders celebrate their big win in Greeley West! photo by Brenda Gonzales
Spartan cheerleaders seal off competition season with a first place trophy.
Cheerleaders are a staple of American high school culture. From the football field to the basketball court, cheerleaders can be seen supporting their school teams and spreading school spirit to the stands. But behind the scenes, the cheerleaders are preparing for a competition of their own. Every year, the TJ competition cheer team attends around four competitions to showcase their skills and athletic ability. This year has been exceptional for the cheer team, setting new placement records in the state and conquering the competition at the last event of the season.
The Spartans started their competition season at North High School in November, where they competed at the Denver Public Schools League competition and placed third. For many Spartan cheerleaders, it was their first time stepping on a competition mat, and that was reflected in the results of the competition. Determined to climb to the top, the cheerleaders practiced for hours every day after school and on Saturday mornings. The team faced many challenges during these practices. A few members of the team had to leave the competition mat to honor other commitments, and the whole routine had to be moved around. Some of the sign girls didn’t have the right signs, so the Spartans were forced to use old props for their routine. Last-minute changes had to be made, and the whole team had to come together to make the routine perfect. “It was tough at times, but in the end, the athletes managed to pull it all together,” TJ Cheer Coach Oureana Armstrong recalled “this season had a lot of ups and downs but in the end we finished strong. I am so proud of all the members of this team.”
Starting in the early fall, the competition season continues until late winter. Most cheer teams only compete in four to five tournaments each year. Some tournaments are for placements within the state, such as league tournaments and state championships. Scores from these types of competitions can determine if a cheer team will go to the state championship at the end of the season. Other competitions, like the Spirit Blast competition in Greeley, are not directly managed by CHSAA (Colorado High School Activities Association) but are still credible for team placements.
Three weeks after DPS League, the TJ Cheerleaders traveled to Greeley West High School to compete in the Winter Spirit Blast competition. This time, the Spartans were extra prepared, and laser focused on the prize. The Spartans gave their all on the mat, but when awards came, there was an issue.
The Spartan cheerleaders have one boy on the team, Alexander Bills, who wears a slightly different uniform from the rest of the team. At the Winter Blast competition, Bills was wearing a TJ Spartan logo tie with his costume, which had been permitted at the previous competition. However, Winter Blast followed different rules and regulations from DPS League, and the judges interpreted the tie as a safety hazard. The Spartans had scored the points to be in second place, but after a deduction for the tie, they were moved down to third. After this disappointing placement, the Spartans were more determined than ever to succeed.
After this, the Spartans dedicated their time and hard work to push towards the biggest competition of the year: The CHSAA State Championships. The previous record for the team was 18th place, and the Spartans were as motivated as ever to beat that. Competing in a group of 42 teams, the Spartans attended state with the most energy they’ve had, and ended up placing 14th in the state. While this may not seem like a big deal, this was a huge moment for the Spartans. This is the highest a TJ cheer team has ever placed at state. The Spartans were so excited about their win and returned home with a refreshing confidence that they would carry to the final competition of the season.
In early February, the Spartans returned to Greeley West High School to compete at the Sweetheart Blast Competition. With a fantastic record to back them up, the Spartans were confident in their competition performance. For some, it was the last time they would step on a mat, for others, it was the first. With one Greeley West competition under their belt, the Spartans were familiar with the mat, and comfortable with the crowd. The Spartans were ready to rule the mat. During their short three minute routine, the Spartans gave their energy, engaged the crowd, and left everything they had on the mat.
At the end of the night, the Spartans were awarded a first place trophy for their hard work. Not only that, but they were declared the 2026 Sweetheart Blast Grand Champions, meaning that they had the best routine of the whole night. The Spartans were filled with triumph and pride, finishing their season off with a huge win after a season full of challenges and hurdles. Good job TJ Spartans!
