University of Sioux Falls Cheerleading

By: Kylee Miller

We all know and enjoy watching the University of Sioux Falls Basketball and Football Teams. However, have you ever looked a little farther at the games to see that the University of Sioux Falls also has cheerleaders? Yes, you read that right, the University of Sioux Falls has cheerleaders! They cheer for basketball as well as football! The team is coached by head coach Kayla State and assistant coach Traci Osterberg. “Being a cheer coach has meant so much more to me than just leading the team. It’s been about helping athletes grow into confident, driven, and compassionate individuals. Watching the team develop both in skill and unity each season is incredibly rewarding, but what means the most is seeing each athlete’s personal growth. From their first practice to the moment they graduate, it’s inspiring to see how much they learn in the process, “said State. The type of cheer this team does is called sideline cheer. Which means that they are on the sideline for games and do a series of different cheers and chants during games. As well as a few different stunts! The team usually practices every Monday and Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. During the football season, the practices take place at the Bubble located on the football campus. Then, during basketball season, the practices take place at the Stewart Center located on campus. Senior Abby Hensley has been a part of the cheer team for all four of her years at the University of Sioux Falls. She said it is a great way for her to stay involved on campus, as well as having a dancing background. “Cheer has impacted my college experience by keeping me involved in school events like football and basketball games, along with leading me to many of the friends I have now!” states Hensley. Making connections as well as learning new things is exactly what the cheer team is about. From meeting new people to learning how to stunt, it’s a great way to step out of your comfort zone and try something new or keep doing something you have always done.” The team holds tryouts every year! The tryout consists of one cheer, a chant, and one dance. You will have time to practice the cheer, chant, and dance before the actual tryout. There are other returning cheerleaders there to teach you all the material you will need to know! “Each year brings a new mix of athletes, which makes coaching both challenging and exciting. Every team comes in with different skill levels, personalities, and experiences, so teaching all of the material from the ground up takes patience, creativity, and adaptability. Forming stunt groups can be especially tricky at first as we work to find the best combinations of athletes who complement one another’s strengths. While it’s always bittersweet to see cheerleaders graduate and leave the program, it’s also incredibly rewarding to welcome new faces and start building a fresh team dynamic. There is nothing better than seeing the progress the team makes when everything starts to click,” says State. If you are thinking about trying out but are on the fence, I hope this helps! If you are interested or someone you know wants to try out, feel free to reach out to Traci Osterberg in the registrar’s office or reach out to the Insta gram page @USFcheer.