HEART OF GOLD COMPETITORS SHINE

LOS LUNAS — Los Lunas High School hosted the sixth annual Heart of Gold Cheer and Dance competition on Saturday. More than 1,100 elementary through high school age students took part, with standing-room-only at times for spectators.

There were dozens of different age-group categories, including jazz, pom, cheer with music and hip hop.

Jonelle Thompson-Armijo, LLHS cheer team coach and meet director, said Heart of Gold is an NMAA sanctioned event that draws teams from around New Mexico.

“Cheer and dance teams must go to three sanctioned competitions before they can compete at state,” Thompson-Armijo said, adding it took several months to prepare for the competition with the central location a big attraction for programs.

LLHS, Valencia High School and Belen High School were among those participating.

LLHS finished first in Varsity Pom and JV Game Day, as well as second in Varsity Jazz and Varsity Hip Hop.

Bosque Farms Elementary School was first in Elementary Cheer with Music. Los Lunas Mighty Mites captured first in All-Star Mini Cheer with Music and Los Lunas Tiger’s Pee Wee’s were second in All-Star Youth Cheer with Music.