Carolyn Hernandez doesn’t like odd numbers. 

They are just, well, odd to her. She prefers everything to be lined up evenly.

The same goes for her cheer squad at Nogales when it is performing certain routines. Cherish her while you can, Nogales, because Hernandez will retire in two years after completing a successful 40-year teaching career (Yes, she picked 40, an even number.). 

Hernandez helped put Nogales High, and the state for that matter, on the national cheer map. But before she steps down, there is an odd number that Hernandez and her team wouldn’t mind chasing a couple of more times — No. 1.

Nogales High is known for its co-ed routines, the category the program has won a likely state best 17 times so far. The program will compete for another Arizona Interscholastic Association title Saturday during the spiritline championships at Gilbert High School. 

Hernandez may like even numbers, but the second place co-ed finish in one of the two state qualifiers this season disappointed Hernandez and her team. Nogales is tired of runner up endings during its AIA season.

The program came in second place four times at state prior to last year’s state championships. But Nogales snapped that runner-up co-ed streak last year with yet another state championship.

“The kids are hungry to get the title back again from last year,” Hernandez said. “It had been a struggle before, but we are back in a groove.”

But Poston Butte did disturb Nogales’ groove a bit this season when it competed in the qualifier Poston Butte won.

Because of that, Hernandez decided not to take her annual winter holiday trip to visit her grandkids in Kansas. You don’t win 17 titles without being competitive.

During the winter break, Hernandez and her squad fine-tuned their steps. Nogales’ co-ed teams are known for their flashy performances, jumping ability of their boys and the loud vocal chords of their female members.

“Our goal for Saturday is to beat our second place (qualifier) score so we can get first place,” senior Jocelyn Acosta said. “We are working really hard for first place.”

Nogales has been a co-ed power since about 1986, when the school attended a national competition for the first time.

Hernandez arrived at Nogales High in 1979 along with her husband, Fred, an algebra teacher at Nogales and longtime coach. Hernandez was coaching other sports at the school before she was asked to take over the cheer program in 1984.

At the time, Hernandez and Fred had a 2 and 1 year old and weren’t well-versed in running a cheer program. Fred has assisted his wife throughout her career. 

“I must have been nuts,” said Hernandez, 61, about agreeing to take over a program that now runs all year. “But oh my gosh I learned to love it. I still learn something every day.” 

As Hernandez grew so did her program. 

In 1986, four boys came out to cheer and, thankfully for Nogales, the talent hasn’t stopped tumbling in on the boys side since.  

A lot of Nogales’ boys have gone on to cheer in college, including the very talented Andrew James, who has coached in Australia and served as Finland’s national team coach. 

James also choreographed some of Nogales’ winning routines. That job now belongs to another talented choreographer, Javier Lara of Mexico.

But it’s Hernandez who has built Nogales into a perennial cheer champ. She’s done so with a strong  will and a touch of class. 

Hernandez said that opponents are sometimes intimidated by Nogales, but she softens that belief by building a sense of community among her team and with opponents.

“She (Hernandez) cares so much for us,” Nogales senior Jacob Moraila said. “She dedicates her entire day for us. She stays after school. She’s like a second mother. She hears all of our problems.”

About 38 of Hernandez's 50 team members were at her casita during Christmas break for the Hernandez’s annual holiday party. 

Nogales is hoping the party will continue on Saturday.