Meet Jacob Nash: male cheerleader

By Gary Herron
sports editor
Published on Friday, April 10, 2009 12:20 PM MDT

No, this isn’t the title of a new Rob Schneider movie.

You get the idea right away that Rio Rancho High School junior/senior Jacob Nash isn’t a typical male teenager.

First of all, he’s a male cheerleader — only the second at Rio Rancho High School in its 12 years of existence.

Jacob Nash gets a megaphone, not a pom-pon, like the female cheerleaders.

Secondly, when he tells you his name, he says his surname is “like the car.”

“Most teenagers wouldn’t know that,” he’s told by an adult who remembers the Nash automobile, the old TV show “Nash Bridges,” singer Johnny “I can see clearly now” Nash and Phoenix Suns star Steve Nash.

“I’m not like other kids,” Nash replies, verifying the initial thought.

If you check out his Myspace page, Nash admits he’s “a big time nerd.”

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

“I can be a killer cool person,” he tells visitors to his page. “My favorite thing to do is probably computer related. … This year I made varsity cheerleading. I’m quite proud of myself for that.”

Back to the nerdy part: “l (am) taking C#, A+, and math analysis (in school). I love my X-box and HDTV, makes some killer game play. As soon as I get a job I’m getting a Wii and a Mac, no matter the circumstances. My favorite TV show is, hands down, ‘Modern Marvels,’ and shows about physics and anything that is on quantum levels.”

When it comes to music — something always cranked up too loud in the RAC — Nash fits in with today’s teens.

“My favorite bands include The Shins, The killers, Dave Matthews Band, Sara Barellies, Jack Johnson, and the Kooks,” and, as Nash puts it, “basically anything (independent) rock and roll. I also am a sucker for techno.”

It still doesn’t explain his penchant for cheerleading, although, let’s face it, the ratio of females to males on that squad is 20 to 1. Nash is the 1.

The girls don’t mind.

They were even given a chance to “dis” the lone guy on the squad.

“He’s one of the girls,” joked senior cheerleader Kelsey Garcia said. “He’s pretty strong. He’s got tumbling skills and everything.”

“He’s really good,” noted sophomore cheerleader Shawnee Van Damme, who was a teammate of Nash two years ago when she was at the Mid-High. “He’s fun. He’s real spontaneous — he’ll say funny things and he’ll get everyone all happy again if we’re not doing very good. … I wouldn’t want to embarrass Jake. He’s too nice to everyone. He’s a good motivator — he motivates everyone to do good.”

“He’s just an awesome person to everyone,” Garcia concluded, with Van Damme adding, “He’s really smart.”

He must be; he advanced from being a sophomore to a junior since the school year began.

Nash is easy to pick out from the 21 cheerleaders: He’s the only one without pom-pons, holding a megaphone.

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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Rio Rancho Observer.

Julie Nash wrote on Apr 10, 2009 5:59 PM:

" THANK YOU!!!! "

Robbie Nash wrote on Apr 11, 2009 11:19 AM:

" Jake makes his whole family very proud.

Thanks for picking him out for you story. "

Amanda Nash wrote on Apr 11, 2009 9:41 PM:

" I am so proud of my little brother!!!

He's not only taller than me now, but better in math, computers... and now cheerleading!

Great article! :D

I'm proud to be related. "

The Denofrios wrote on Apr 12, 2009 11:02 AM:

" Hey Jake! You've come a long way since the V-town hood! Great article! Mama must be proud! Good Job! It's cool not being a cookie cutter! Keep up the good work! "

Mike Johnson wrote on Apr 13, 2009 11:25 AM:

" Jake you are the man! "

Lynn wrote on Apr 14, 2009 11:22 AM:

" Kudos to having him featured. His accomplishments should be noted! I don't know this young man or his family, but great job! "

You Know wrote on Apr 25, 2009 5:21 PM:

" "I also am a sucker for techno.”

Who would have thought?!?! "

Torri Clark wrote on Apr 30, 2009 9:43 PM:

" YOU DIDNT TELL ME YOU WERE IN THE OBSERVER YOU JERK "

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