Twelve Bridges STUNT wins D2 section title

The Twelve Bridges High School STUNT team reclaimed its spot atop the Sac-Joaquin Section Saturday afternoon, and it was a title that the Raging Rhinos never felt they lost in the first place. A year after a paperwork error wiped away a Sac-Joaquin Section title and a state championship, the Raging Rhinos returned to the top, defeating Liberty Ranch 28-18 in the Division II STUNT final at Jessup University. For a program still in just its fourth year, the moment carried more weight than most titles. Head coach Danielle Pacheco didn't shy away from how much the past year shaped this postseason run. Having last season's championships stripped "was devastating," Pacheco said. "The STUNT team program worked extremely hard to win those championship titles and deserved them. Having the title removed due to a clerical oversight was heartbreaking." Instead of lingering on what was lost, the Rhinos capitalized on that frustration and used it to fuel another playoff run. "Our program, athletes, and surrounding area knows we won those championships and were more than capable to do it once again," Pacheco said. "Our coaching staff and athletes focused on working hard and moving towards the goal of getting to states once again and here we are." That belief never wavered internally. From the start of the season, Pacheco said this group showed signs it could make another deep run because of not only their talent, but their mindset as well. "We have extremely talented athletes, but more importantly we have coachable athletes," she said. "They are always wanting to work hard and continue to get better." Built around team bonding and a culture of trust, the Rhinos developed the kind of chemistry that showed up when it needed to. That culture and trust was on display Saturday, when the Rhinos were forced to make a change heading into the semifinal round against Central Valley. During warmups, one of the team's primary tumblers went down with an injury. Pacheco said that the team's response to that adversity and ability to make an adjustment on the fly is what has defined this championship run. With just over an hour before the championship, Twelve Bridges had to rework six routines and ensure everyone was on the same page. "Everyone was looking at count sheets and teaching one another the routines to help fill in," Pacheco said. "As a coach, seeing this kind of teamwork is what encompasses being a champion." The Rhinos executed enough to win comfortably, and now they face an entirely new challenge in the state championships. Despite winning Division II, Twelve Bridges will compete in Division I at the state level, going up against larger schools with deeper, longer-established programs. The Rhinos enter as the No. 7 seed in the state, a jump that some might see as daunting, but Pacheco sees it differently. "Being placed as No. 7 in the entire state at a Division I level is such an achievement and honor," she said. "Many see this unexpected move as unfair but our program is embracing this opportunity." Facing programs from schools of more than 3,000 students only adds to the challenge for the Rhinos, but this is a group that wouldn't have it any other way. "Our team is having the mindset that this will only make us better and stronger," Pacheco said. "We are ready to bring it all we've got and show why we have been moved up to D1." The CIF STUNT State Championships will take place Saturday at Clovis North High School. Twelve Bridges opens up against No. 10 Corona-Centennial.