After a busy fall of displays and shows, the Northwestern cheer and dance teams look ahead as the season continues this winter and spring. The Raiders’ competitive cheer team already has had a competition at Dickinson State, where the team went 1-1 in duels.
Coach Taylor Decker knows about the longevity of the seasons. “It is a very long season since we start in August with football sideline and work into our competition season January through March,” Decker said.
Competitive cheer at NW has seen some great success over the years; the Red Raiders won the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Championship last spring and finished sixth out of 15 teams in the national championship that March. The Raiders cheer squad can be spotted on the sideline at most home games for football and basketball. The dance team travels alongside competitive cheer and performs one routine the entire season.
Sophomore Jonah Brown shared the challenges and the fun that comes with being involved on the competitive cheer team. “I like that it pushes my body,” Brown said. “The day of competitions is always packed: Wake up, hype music, get ready to perform, team prayer and praise God whether we win or lose. We are always reflecting on what we can do better next time!”
“The greatest challenge is finding what the judges are looking for and trying to perfect that in our performance,” Decker said.
With both seasons swiftly progressing, the two teams are eager to hit the court running. Whether on the sidelines or in competition, the cheer and dance teams are prepared to chase great achievements.
“I hope to win another GPAC title for cheer and place in the top five for dance,” Decker said. The dance team can be seen performing their routine at any of the home basketball games this winter. For the complete schedule and live stream of the competitive cheer team, visit the Red Raider athletics website. The Raiders will host a competition on Feb. 14 and 15, featuring 22 schools. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday.
