MANCOS – Scarcely moments after she officially closed out her high school cheerleading career at the 2A state championships, Mancos senior Maddie Daves had already turned her focus to making sure the Bluejays program would continue to sustain their status as a top-tier program on the state scene.
Having witnessed the plethora of options on the Front Range for aspiring cheer athletes – camps, competitive opportunities and rigorous training environments – Daves wanted to make sure the Four Corners could offer similar opportunities. So, after graduating early in December, Daves turned her focus on turning her vision into reality.
Just a month after collecting her diploma, Daves opened Southwest Elite All-stars, where she works as part-owner, coach and even competitor alongside the Senior Level team (ages 13-18). She also coaches and choreographs the Junior Flex team (ages 7-14) – and her teams have already made massive leaps.
In just a few short months, both the Senior and Junior squads have earned high-level accolades, including the Senior team winning the CheerSport and US Finals titles, as well as earning an at-large invitation to join some of the premier cheer squads in the country at The Summit in Orlando, Florida. The Junior team earned runner-up at both the PacWest and Grand Canyon Championships in their inaugural season.
Building off that momentum, Daves and the SWEA have set up an opportunity for even more community engagement, as they host open gym classes at the Cortez Area Youth Activity Center at 126 E. Main St. in Cortez on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer. The classes are open to youth aged 4-19, and offers a learning environment with tumbling, jumps, stunting and performance skills, as well as a chance to learn more about the All-star cheerleading program.
More information is available through the SWEA social media accounts, through Facebook at SWEA Cheerleading, and @southwesteliteallstars on Instagram.
As if founding her own business wasn’t enough, Daves joins her MHS teammate Elly Coey with plans to take their cheerleading to the next level. The duo head to rival schools in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this fall, as Coey joins the Colorado Mesa University team while Daves makes her way to Gunnison to cheer for the Mountaineers of Western Colorado University.
Both Coey and Daves earned all-state accolades during their decorated high school careers while leading the Mancos program to unprecedented heights, earning fifth place in the 2A/3A Co-Ed division at the 2025 CHSAA state championships.
“Their leadership shaped Mancos cheer into what it is today,” said MHS cheer head coach Megan Daves of her co-captains, “their impact on the team, the younger athletes and the community will be felt for years to come.”
Having received offers from several schools across the Southwest, Maddie Daves settled on staying in the Centennial State, while Coey proved her mettle to be able to also cheer at the Division II level by successfully completing a tryout with the Mavericks.
Both athletes pushed themselves in other pursuits as well, with Coey named as the Mancos Homecoming queen, earning state qualification in wrestling for Bayfield HS, playing volleyball for MHS, and enjoying an active career as a motocross enthusiast, while Daves earned recognition on the President’s List at Pueblo Community College for her academic efforts, while also being named CHSAA Impact Player of the Month.
“These young women have represented Mancos and the Four Corners region with excellence, dedication and pride,” Megan Daves said. “I’m incredibly proud of everything they’ve accomplished, and will continue to pursue in the future.”
