Rio Rhythamettes excel at Spirit of Hope

ALBUQUERQUE – Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque was packed with fun, festivities and a whole lotta SPIRIT on Saturday as the 2025 Spirit of Hope Challenge kicked off.

The annual NMAA-sanctioned spirit competition included over 80 dance, spirit and cheer teams from across the southwest, from both the school and club ranks.

More than half a dozen teams showed up to represent the City of Vision, including Rio Elite All-Star Wildcats, NM Elite, the Cleveland Storm dance and cheer squads, Rio Rancho High School cheer, the Rio Rancho Middle School Phoenix, the Mountain View Mountain Lions, the Lincoln Middle School Leopards, and the Rio Rancho Rhythamettes.

The Rio Rancho Rhythamettes were big winners at the competition, taking 1st-place in the “Open” category, 1st-place in the “Open Duet” category, 3rd-place in “Pom” and 3rd-place in “Jazz”.

“So proud of all of our dancers at Spirit of Hope,” exclaimed the Rhythamettes social media accounts after the event.

Rams cheer also showed up strong. The C-team took 1st-place in "Cheer with Music" and JV took 2nd.

In Bernalillo, Spartans cheer took home a 2nd-place trophy as well. Spartan Learning Academy followed suit with a 1st-place trophy of their own.

As of print time, the final results had not been released.

Visit rrobserver.com for updates.

2025 Dance Teams

Rio Elite All-Star Cheer/Tumbling

Rio Rancho High School

V. Sue Cleveland High School

2025 Cheer Teams

Bernalillo High School

Mountain View Middle School

NM Elite

Rio Elite All-Star

Rio Rancho C-Team

Rio Rancho Middle School