The rivalry between Air Academy High School and Cheyenne Mountain High School has always been intense and fierce. Our student sections are packed with energized, screaming students at every sports game. I asked 15 students from every grade level and a couple of teachers who they thought our rival high school was. They all stated that it was Cheyenne Mountain. When Ms. Cassano, a language arts teacher,  was asked why she thinks Cheyenne Mountain is our rival, she said, “I heard the most about them when I started, and I had a lot of hockey boys in my class when I started so they would always tell me about the upcoming games. And they are the most similar to us in demographics.” On the other hand, many students like Ben Newton strongly believes that our rival is Cheyenne because “outside of school, a lot of students at Air Academy know many students that go to [Cheyenne Mountain].”  

Whether home or away, sporting events between the two schools are exhilarating. When it comes to AAHS, we arguably have the best school spirit. Attire for these games on the Air Academy side is usually all white clothing. During halftime, our students throw flour or baby powder up in the air. Instead of seeing smiling faces on the opposing side, spectators see a huge, white cloud covering the bleachers.

Aside from these harmless and exciting traditions, there are some negative traditions that have been going on for years. At the most recent rivalry game, there were some signs that had to be confiscated because of their content towards Cheyenne Mountain, but this concept is a double edged sword. Negative signs and chants are made by both schools and are equally displayed at the games. The administrations at both schools try to dissolve conflict at these games, but thousands of students versus a couple of adults makes it difficult to accomplish anything since the rivalry is so strong. Most of the time, these games are really exciting and get students and staff out to the games to support their peers and students.

 This is not just a rivalry between the student sections. Many athletes at Air Academy have one goal: to beat Cheyenne Mountain. I asked a student from almost every sport, and they all said that games against Cheyenne are always back and forth on the scoreboard. Luke Louthan, a varsity soccer player, wants to win against Cheyenne Mountain “because they beat us in the soccer state championships three years ago, so this game I hope we win to dominate our rivalry!” Most athletes would agree with Luke. All sports at Air Academy will have a strong dislike and rivalry between them and Cheyenne Mountain, while still maintaining a certain level of sportsmanship. But as always, Sko’ Dets!