Love of Football Leads Prescott Native to Role as Vikings Cheerleader
The pipeline that starts in Prescott as a member of the school’s dance team and ends as a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader has been well established.
By Jason Schulte
Pierce County Herald
Erin Frey, Tristina Timm, Demi Augustine and Lily Blanchard have all taken that route.
Now that club has another member as Kaitlyn Rae (her last name has been withheld at the request of the Vikings) is in her second year as a cheerleader.
She spoke about her experiences and more as a cheerleader during the Kiwanis Club of Prescott Thursday, Oct. 23.
Kaitlyn is a junior at the University of St. Thomas, majoring in broadcast journalism. She started dancing when she was three and was hooked.
“I loved being on stage and in front of the judges,” she said. She spent her formative years at Helmer Dance Studio. In high school she was a member of the Prescott dance team where, in her four years of high school, she was part of five state championships. In addition, she also went to Stella Dance Studio where Timm was her coach and one of the people who convinced her to try out for the Vikings.
Kaitlyn said her love of football came from her father.
“I love the Vikings,” she said, laughing. “He brainwashed me.”
She also laughed when she told how she became a member of last year’s team. Training camp was three hours a day three days a week for three weeks. That was followed by a pageant in which contestants showed off their fitness, performed routines and were interviewed.
“The next day you either get a call or you don’t,” she said. When she did, she called her friends and family, including her father.
“I’m in a closet crying,” Kaitlyn said, laughing — which drew laughs from those in the audience as well.
She also shared more tidbits about being a Minnesota Vikings cheerleader.
Last year, her season ran from May through December. “We have appearances all throughout the year – hospitals, schools, the Mall of America – not just football games,” she added.
She was the youngest member of last year’s team. The age range is 18-34 with the average age being 25. A requirement is either holding a fulltime job or being in college. Members include a nurse, teacher and a lawyer.
“Everyone is so nice,” she said.
Cheerleaders don’t travel with the team, but they made the trip to London last year as it was technically a home game. “An awesome experience,” said Kaitlyn.
Cheerleaders must take a quiz to know the basic rules of football. Kaitlyn said some of her fellow cheerleaders came to her for advice.
If the Vikings play at 12 p.m. Sundays, her day starts between 5:30 and 6 a.m., thanks to practice, preparation and meeting the fans as they enter the stadium.
“It’s worth it,” she said.
Trying out for this year’s team was scarier than last year because she enjoyed it so much last year and wanted to be it on again.
“I’m so blessed to have a dream fulfilled and be part of an amazing team,” she concluded.
