By Glen Rosales
Special to the SUN

A year ago at the state spirit competition, the Española Valley cheer squad showed exactly what it can do when it’s on its game.

Unfortunately, the Sundevils could not sustain that early success in the second performance of the day, but still, Española served notice about the program and this season, coach TatyAna Quintana said, the team is ready to take that next big step into trophy contention.

“They’re excited to show everybody that they are worth watching and giving their attention to when they’re performing,” Quintana said. “This probably has been our most successful season this year, as long as I’ve been coaching. Our biggest goals were building and establishing a program that was strong and that the kids want to come back to.”

It helps that the Sundevils are now a veteran squad loaded with athletes who have been there before.

“The bulk of our team are upperclassmen and have been with me for anywhere from two to four years,” Quintana said. “That’s helped set up and create the tone that we want and gives them motivation and desire to show off the hard work they put in day in and day out.”

And the results can be seen on the mat in Española’s performances as the team has been at or near the top of just about every competition, including finishing just two points Class 4A dynasty Taos at a recent meet.

“It proves to them that they’re capable placing pretty good at the state competition this weekend,” Quintana said. “So they’re excited.”

What’s also helped is that the Sundevils have not only built off last year’s success through the returners, but the newcomers came in ready to go and were quickly integrated into the routines as Quintana has relentlessly switched up the assignments to give everybody a chance to shine.

“Honestly, it doesn’t have anything to do with my veteran athletes compared to my newbies,” Quintana said. “The freshman kids are doing the exact same positions and roles. This year, I’m moving everybody around and everybody is working with all their teammates. So we may need you do to something, if you need to hold a flag or a sign, they just do it. They don’t make it a big deal. They just do it for the program because the outcome is going to be something for them.”

Now is the time to prove just how far the Sundevils program has come.

“We’ve had such a successful season and for the 13 seniors, they are going to walk away with some great memories and experiences,” Quintana said. “And bringing in at least a third place trophy would be icing on the cake. Hopefully, everyone who has been watching them and supporting them feels the same way.”

Of course, those added expectations also carry the weight of pressure, which the team is far better prepared to handle this season.

“I always tell people that pressure is a privilege and it’s good when people are putting pressure on you,” Quintana said. “But from the beginning of the season, if you’ve done the job that you have done so far and they have done so well, my expectation for them is what’s fueling them to want to do a great job (this) week-end.”

And to prepare for that pressure, the team already got to test its mettle in the Halftime Hurrah during the state basketball tournament last week in The Pit.

“I have a handful of kids who never performed in The Pit,” Quintana said. “Our gym itself is pretty big, but it’s not The Pit and I didn’t want them to be as intimidated. Of course, there is nothing like The Pit floor. They were nervous, but so excited and we had one of our strongest performances of that routine. They’re success and the hard work they’ve put in really has people turning their heads whenever they are on the floor and ready to take the mat.”

Española also will give a special, post-competition performance about 3:30 p.m. to feature senior Estrella Baca, a longtime Sundevils team member who has down syndrome.

“It will be the last performance of the day so we can do a showcase with her,” Quintana said.