Spirit: Arapahoe, Arrupe Jesuit, Ralston Valley Crowned Game Day Champions
Photo: Myla Stewart
DENVER – The Colorado High School Activities Association kicked off its 2025 Spirit State Championships on Thursday with the Game Day Cheer and Game Day Dance competitions at the Denver Coliseum.
In 2A/3A Game Day Cheer, Arrupe Jesuit came away with its third-straight state championship, while Arapahoe won its first-ever 4A/5A Game Day Cheer state title. Ralston Valley followed up its win in the inaugural year of Game Day Dance with a second-straight title.
For the third-straight year, Arrupe Jesuit has lifted the first-place trophy in 2A/3A Game Day Cheer.
“I’ve known it probably from our third practice when I had 14 rookies, and I saw all of them just step up and catch up to the six veterans that we had on our team… I knew this year was going to be special,” said Mandi Lopez, Arrupe Jesuit’s head coach.
In just their third-year of being a program, the Generals posted a winning score of 92.55.
“The dedication that it takes to just be in a sport like this all the time and energy it takes to get up that early in the morning…it trains you very well for your future,” senior Yara Esquivel said.
D’Evelyn snagged the runner-up trophy for a second-straight season with a score of 90.2, while The Classical Academy took third (88.3), Lyons finishing fourth (86.35) and Florence was fifth (86.15).
Arapahoe was overcome with joy when their name was announced as the state champions for 4A/5A Game Day Cheer. The title marks the Warriors’ first-ever Game Day Cheer championship.
“This team is special… we knew after that finals routine that we did, we had it,” Arapahoe head coach Madison Berry said. “We have practiced before every single competition and they came in this morning really hungry. I’ve never seen a team do this before and this team was determined to be better in the finals.
“I’m so so proud of them and I can’t wait to celebrate with them.”
This marks Arapahoe’s first cheer title since 2009 and its first spirit title since 2012 when the Warriors’ dance team won Pom. Overall, this is the fifth cheer title for the school and its 10th overall spirit title.
“My freshman [year] I won nationals, my senior [year] I won state. It’s like a full circle moment,” senior Khloe Golyer said. “We always say Warriors over everything, and that is something that really sticks with us everyday.”
The Warriors edged Cherry Creek out of first, 95.75-94.35, while Valor Christian – last year’s champions – took third at 91.5. Smoky Hill fourth with a score of 88.15 and Pine Creek rounded out the top-five with a score of 86.25.
Ralston Valley and Erie, the top-two finishers from a year ago, met once again in the finals of Game Day Dance, with Ralston Valley winning the title for a second-straight year.
“I think this year, especially, we learned another element of hard work is to be able to defend the title rather than just get it,” senior Madison Grave said. “To be able to lead and just work hard to find success with a different team from last year, it was really cool and I’m just really proud of everyone.”
This marks the second year of Game Day Dance being a CHSAA-sanctioned championship. Ralston Valley earned its second title by edging the Tigers with a score of 86-82.65.
“I think it’s just a genuine love for getting to showcase what we do as far as our school spirit and the fact that these are trained, amazing, technical dancers,” Ralston Valley head coach Katee Mink said. “To put it all together into a gameday routine, it’s just really special.
“We will continue to work as hard as we can…and represent Ralston Valley as proudly as we can.”
Competition will continue tomorrow with All-Girl and Co-Ed Cheer. Performances will begin at 8 a.m., with finals scheduled to begin at 5:17 p.m.
