New Mexico State University cheerleaders not only motivated Aggie fans at home games this past year, but they also competed themselves last February in the USA Collegiate National competition in Anaheim, Calif.

The team competed in the small and large coed divisions, as well as the partner stunts and mascot divisions. Aggie mascot Pistol Pete and the partner stunts team both placed second in their respective categories.

“We’ve got a great group of kids,” says cheerleading coach Jessica Franklin ’06 ’08, an Aggie cheerleader herself from 2000-05 and now in her third year as head coach. “Most of them work full-time jobs, but they make every appearance, every game.”

“We had practice every day,” says senior Kassie Hernandez who, along with senior Mario Loredo, made up the partner stunts team that placed second. “And we still had to go home and do homework, because we are student-athletes.”

Pistol Pete, played by Ricky Rascon, placed second for a two-minute skit he put together himself.

“It had to be funny, energetic and entertain the crowd,” Rascon says. “It was pretty hectic. I had to make the music; I had to make the props; and I pulled a few all nighters.”

The NMSU cheerleaders perform at all Aggie football, basketball and volleyball home games, as well as many university and community appearances.