BGHS grad achieves dream of being an NFL cheerleader

Joanna Michaud
The Reflector
August 13, 2014

Although 22-year-old Haley Kerle is now quite experienced and talented when it comes to dancing, the 2010 Battle Ground High School graduate said she began her dance career only a few years earlier at the age of 19.

This past May, Kerle achieved her dream of becoming an NFL cheerleader when she was chosen to be a member of the Sea Gals, the cheerleading squad for the Seattle Seahawks.

“The interesting fact about my achievement is that I have not been dancing since I was little,” Kerle said. “I began my dance career when I was only 19 years old. I will be 23 years old on Aug. 22. It has taken me four years to achieve a dream of a lifetime.”

A Battle Ground girl, born and raised, Kerle said her dance career started when she auditioned for the Vancouver Volcanoes with the International Basketball League. She danced semi-professionally for them as a Volcanoes’ dancer for three years, and then eventually moved on and auditioned for the Portland Rosebuds Dance Team, the professional dancers who dance on the ice for the Portland Winterhawks.

“After an amazing season and four years of dance experience, I decided to be brave and drive to Seattle for what resulted in the most rewarding experience for me,” Kerle said.

The Sea Gal auditions were a two-week process, and Kerle said she traveled to the Seahawks practice facility in Seattle and made it through all the preliminary rounds.

“There were almost 300 beautiful, talented dancers around me and I kept thinking, ‘be brave, you can do this. Just do your best and hope they notice you,’” she said.

Kerle said the final round of auditions consisted of an interview, a performance routine and a 16-count freestyle, all broadcasted live. She said she remembers having a panic attack the night before because she wanted to make the squad so bad.

“Right before they announced the team, I was standing there, knees shaking with my head down, and then the head coach called out my number,” Kerle said. “My number. The funny fact was that when she did call my number, I did not budge. I thought I was hearing things. I remember thinking to myself, ‘there’s no way she just called my number, can this be true?’ Then I could feel all of the girls staring at me like, ‘hello, that’s your number, girl.’”

Kerle said her dance career means the world to her, especially since it did not come easy for her. She said she worked hard to teach herself technique and learn the style it takes to be on these different professional teams. Kerle said what she enjoys most about being a dancer is performing in front of an audience, and that’s what she’s most excited for being a Sea Gal.

The first preseason game for the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field is Fri., Aug. 15, and Kerle said she can’t wait to be in uniform, on the field, sharing her love and excitement for dance and the Seahawks.

“Cheering for this team is really hard work,” she said. “It takes a lot of discipline and passion to be a Sea Gal. I am so dedicated. I go to the gym twice a day, six days a week, on top of practice two nights a week for four hours each. I push myself every day. I want to be the best cheerleader I can be and make my coach, my fellow dancers, friends, family and students back at home proud.”

Kerle brings up her students because she was actually about to start her fourth year coaching the dance team at Battle Ground High School.

“I know the students understand why I had to leave and I truly hope that my achievement continues to inspire them and that I left with teaching/showing them where hard work and dedication leads you,” Kerle said. “I want them to know that they can achieve their dreams, dance or other.”

Moving from Battle Ground to Seattle was not easy for Kerle, as she said she is very close to her family. She said she has an amazing, loving and supportive family, and that her parents have done so much to her.

“My dad has helped me with this move and been there for me 100 percent, and my mom too, she is my biggest fan and has went to every game the last four years and I know I will look up in the stands and see her at every game this season, too,” she said.

In addition to being a Sea Gal, Kerle also has a full-time job as assistant director of operations for Keller Williams Realty in Seattle. She also enjoys going to the lake on weekends and boating, swimming, wave-running and hiking.

“I might be in a big city now, but I’m still a country girl at heart and I’m going to enjoy the outdoors as much as I can up here,” she said.