SOUTH DAKOTA SPORTS AWARDS

#SDSportsAwards, competitive cheer: Roosevelt Riders become first repeat champs

David Nicholson
dnicholson@argusleader.com

Having taken the view from atop of the podium at state the previous year, the Roosevelt cheer team came into the past season with high expectations. Then came another state meet, and another championship for the Riders.

“Our girls had a taste of what it felt to be state champions,” said coach Diedra Nissen, “and wouldn’t settle for anything but the best. They pushed each other in a positive way and truly became a unit.”

The mission started back in the summer, building physical and mental strength in the Sanford Power Program, and in four-hour practices to hone their routine.

“As a program, we are always looking to raise the bar and do something that no other team has done before,” Diedra Nissen said. “Cheer has come a long way over the years and we want to be the team that continues to push the standard.”

MORE: See other winners of the S.D. Sports Awards

Roosevelt’s impressive finish at the state cheer competition is undoubtedly a season highlight, but Nissen — who shares head coaching duties with Kayla Meyerhoff — said the team’s first competition of the year stands out.

“Our girls had worked so hard ... and we couldn’t have been prouder as coaches,” Nissen said. “Unfortunately, we did not win the competition that day due to some technicalities and deductions. That was the team’s only loss of the season. That is what we love about this team — and their drive. They were working even harder the next day in the gym.”