Jr. Rhino cheer wins 3 JAMZ national titles in first year

Twelve Bridges Jr. Rhinos took three cheer teams to JAMZ nationals in their first season as a program and won big. All three teams won a national title. The event started Jan. 31, where the Jr. Pee Wee squad began the program's sweep. The Jr. Pee Wee team, led by Ardeana Rogers, won the division 8 level 1 X small division. The team also won division 8 grand champions. "Winning at nationals in our very first year is more than just a jacket and a medal; it's a reflection of their hard work and commitment," Rogers shared. "Watching them grow, support each other and believe in themselves has been the greatest gift. I am so unbelievably proud; they earned every bit of this moment." The team got sixth at their first regional competition. They worked hard to earn second at their league competition. They spent all of their time trying to become national champions. Becoming grand champions was never a reachable goal in their eyes. They left before it was announced on stage. They discovered later through the JAMZ Instagram they were the highest division 8 team. Donna Buss, the program's cheer director, said she was stunned and overjoyed when she found out they won grand champions. "It was so unexpected," she shared. In the afternoon, the Jr. Midget team, coached by Nicole Buss, won the division 11 level 2 medium division. The head coach said the win was full of love for her athletes and her mother, who runs the program. "It was an honor to help my mom, who is the cheer director, do a nationals sweep in her first season," Buss shared. Buss filled the position at the last minute in November when the head coach quit. "I was just their assistant coach who was in charge of making the competition routine. When the coach quit, I️ couldn't just leave these girls with no support," Buss said. "I️ stepped up and it was a gift to do so. "These kids have become my best friends. They have an insane drive for cheerleading and always seem to want to outdo the best versions of themselves. I love them so much and am very proud of our win." On Sunday, Feb. 2, the Midget team, run by Angelica Sanchez, won the division 13 level 3 division. Their season had high highs and low lows. With multiple first places also came injuries at competition leading up to nationals, placing them fourth in Northern California. The week after, an athlete quit two weeks leading up to the competition. They had to redo their routine. While most teams would crumble at the adversity, this team came together to achieve success. "The team pushed through everything and came out of our adversities even stronger and more powerful," Sanchez said. "I'll forever be proud of these girls. Making history for the Jr. Rhinos cheer program with a nationals win in the first season is something so special; paired with doing it with this group of girls makes it even better," Sanchez said. Director Donna Buss said this has been about five years in the making. She was part of the original group that started the Jr. Rhinos Football and Cheer program. "No one thought we could have two youth cheer programs in Lincoln. We proved them wrong," she shared. The program started last February. Buss was moving cheer mats back and forth from her garage to whatever practice space they could land. She never thought a three-team sweep would be possible. She said she is overwhelmingly grateful for her athletes, coaches, parents and board's support for her mission.