Local Girl Enjoying Time As Vikings Cheerleader

KEYC – Mankato News, Weather, Sports –

By Ashley Goettl
Fox 12 KEYC tv
August 5, 2013

The Minnesota Vikings were back at Training Camp again today, but today a familiar face to the area was on hand as a member of the Vikings cheerleading squad.

She’s a North Mankato native who’s been on the team for five years.

Being a professional dancer is something many girls dream of when they begin their careers at places like Dance Express in Mankato.

But for Kaylee, that dream became a reality.

As a member of the Vikings Cheerleader team, she’s on the sidelines leading the squad as a captain.

And the Mankato West and Gustavus graduate is thrilled to be back home for Training Camp.

Kaylee says, “It’s so exciting to come back to Mankato for Training Camp and I always tell the other cheerleaders that we get to go to my home. It’s been absolutely unbelievable, the whole Vikings experience. I tried out my first year, completely on a whim’ I didn’t really tell anybody that I was trying out and I was so lucky to make it my first time and I never, ever thought I’d be doing it five years later.”

But it doesn’t come as a surprise to Kaylee’s former dance instructor at Dance Express Mitzi Roberts.

Roberts says, “Kaylee was always talented, ever since she was a tiny little girl and she started classes here and she showed a lot of talent at an early age.”

Now, seeing the woman she’s become brings a sense of pride to Roberts, who has been teaching dance for nearly 30 years.

Roberts says, “I get a little choked up when I watch her out there. She is such, you know, it’s every little girl’s dream to do that someday. To see her on the field, I’ve gone to watch her a couple of times and it is just so rewarding as a teacher to watch her out there.”

But now, Kaylee hopes she can pass on what she’s learned to help girls reach their dreams.

Kaylee says, “Girls don’t really realize some of the opportunities that they have to further their dance career. It’s more than just dance. It’s a way to make new friends, a way to get out in the community and of course, be a part of football.”

Be a part of football from her home of North Mankato to her home in the dome.

In case you’re wondering, it’s Vikings team policy to identify their cheerleaders by first name only.