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SPORTS
Local cheer teams head to Disney, compete in 2026 Nationals
Both the Rams and Storm competed in Orlando this past week
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — This past week, Super Bowl-winning players, children on vacation, and the Rio Rancho and Cleveland cheer teams were all uttering the same phrase.
“I’m going to Disney World!”
It is only fitting that the Rams’ and Storm’s magical seasons both head to “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” competing in the 2026 Universal Cheerleaders Association National Championship.
“Months of hard work, endless belief, one incredible journey ahead,” Rio Rancho cheer wrote online ahead of their trip.
The Rams made history before even boarding the plane, with their junior varsity team becoming the first-ever JV team from New Mexico to attend nationals.
Rio is no stranger to taking their pom poms airborne, with three Ram seniors traveling to Hawaii in December for the Pearl Harbor Parade, an opportunity earned by All-American honors.
Sophia Romero, Talicia Barrett and Jaselle Sanchez all headed to the Aloha State. A week later, they found out they were headed to Disney.
“This is one of the most competitive cheerleading competitions in the country,” Rams cheer posted. “Both squads (Varsity and Junior Varsity) rose to the moment through hard work, dedication, and heart.”
For the Storm, their season has also been Disney-worthy. Coming off a second-place finish in state last year, Cleveland has pulled off several podium finishes, including a number of first-place crowns from their up-and-coming junior varsity team.
In November, Cleveland’s varsity team not only earned a bid in the virtual competition but took first place overall in their two divisions of gameday and music categories.
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“Couldn’t be more proud of this team,” Cleveland cheer wrote. “Nationals, here we come.”
Now, in February, it was showtime. Both schools packed their Mickey Mouse ears for Central Florida in preparation for a week of competition and fun.
Rio Rancho held a send-off for the team at the school, decking the place out with Rams and Disney-themed decorations while also having goodies for the team.
Once in Florida, it was showtime. The Rams and Storm practiced and performed at Disney’s “ESPN Wide World of Sports” complex.
In their respective fields, the Rams varsity would take 17th while their junior varsity finished 12th. For Cleveland, they would take home a 15th-place finish.
With performances in the books, the teams hit the parks for some theme park fun, soon to gear up for what should be an exciting end to the 2025-26 cheer season.
