SDSU cheer squad wins nationals

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The South Dakota State all-girl cheer team came in first place in the Open All-Girl Game Day Cheer Division at the Universal Cheerleaders Association Nationals last month.

It was the first time the Jackrabbits attended nationals, and it was virtual due to COVID.

SDSU submitted its performance via video and competed against three other teams. The Jacks had the highest score after the semifinals and then followed that up with a great performance in the finals.

Junior captain Ally Zerfas said there was a bit of a sense of relief when the team found out they won.

“There were a lot of tears … I think with just dealing with COVID and everything we went through made [winning the championship] that much more special,” Zerfas said.

The SDSU coaches found out SDSU won about an hour and a half before the team. Assistant coach Isabelle Masloski said it was tough to keep the secret in, but once they were able to celebrate with the team it was special.

“Knowing what the placement was before the girls did, I was really trying to not show it on my face because I had excitement, I cried. But it was more rewarding to see them learn the placement all together. They were hugging and crying and there were screams. We were in Cubby’s so I’m sure everyone was like ‘what just happened?’ That moment was so special,” Masloski said.

The UCA Nationals aren’t like every other sport. To qualify you usually have to go to one of their camps. SDSU usually goes to the one at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, but because of COVID, this year they just had people from the UCA come to SDSU. 

You also have to pay to go to nationals. This year it was only $2,000, but next year it will be $20,000. The cheer team fundraised for their entry fee. SDSU felt like going to nationals in years past wasn’t worth the money because they were not ready.

The cheer team went through some struggles before winning the title. Masloski said there were a bunch of limitations with practicing and going to events due to COVID.

“In cheerleading, you have stunt groups, which are made up of four people and you are as close as close can get. There was no working around that because of close contact and having to stay six feet apart. So we weren’t able to practice like normal for awhile. We had to be up in the stands at games. … We only had one practice a week and we usually practice three times. … We were doing whatever we could to keep moving forward,” Masloski said.

Once the Jacks found out they were going to be competing in nationals, they got to work. 

Masloski said she honestly did not expect the Jacks to come away with a title when they signed up for nationals.

“I was optimistic, but was not expecting [to win]. Especially in our first year entering and not being able practice for it until we got back from winter break. … I can’t say that I was expecting to [win] at all, but the surprise was even more rewarding than if we would’ve gone in and felt like we had it,” Masloski said.

Zerfas and fellow junior captain Hanna Siemsonma are both from Brookings. They both said it was special being a part of the first SDSU cheer team to not only attend nationals, but win.

“It’s pretty surreal [being apart of the first SDSU team to win nationals],” Siemsonma said. “… Sitting there and watching our name be called when they were announcing other schools from like the Big Ten was pretty special. I think being from Brookings makes it even more cool because we know the community,” 

Now that SDSU has both attended nationals and come away with a first-place finish, Masloski thinks this is just the first step. She thinks SDSU competitive cheer will now be known a lot more around Brookings and campus.

“I think the first thing is just the recognition for our athletes,” Masloski said. “We’re known for being on the sidelines, which we love. Game days are probably most of the girls’ favorite part about being an SDSU cheerleader. Now they get to put some time into something that is just for them. … Another thing is just the incoming athletes. We’ve already had tryouts for next year and the girls who are coming in have skills that we have never seen before – that usually we don’t see until the end of the year. So I’m really excited for next year because [the first-place finish] has already brought in athletes who come from stronger backgrounds.”