SF Native’s Purple And Gold Dream

By Derek Olson
Keloland
February 27, 2011

SIOUX FALLS, SD – It’s rare to go to a sporting event at any level and not see them. Like athletes in any other sport, cheerleaders and dancers put in years of practice with the goal of making it to the next level.

Whether providing halftime entertainment or getting fans on their feet before the big play, Maria Nelson has been cheering for more than half of her life.

“I cheered in high school and middle school. I’ve been with the [Sioux Falls] Storm for 7 years…really love it,” Nelson said.
Allison Norgaard, the Storm’s Lightning Girls’ cheer coach says Nelson’s enthusiasm for dancing has helped make her a role model for the other girls.

“She’s a really hard worker and I love having her on the team,” Norgaard said.

Last April, Nelson took a chance and travelled to Minnesota for the Vikings cheerleading squad open tryouts. Though she didn’t make the team, the judges thought Nelson showed potential and asked her to participate in the Vikings training program.

“They think you have it there’s just a little…you need to work on. It could be the dance style, fitness, flexibility,” Nelson said.

Of the cheerleaders participating in the Vikings training program, not only does Nelson have the farthest commute, she’s the only cheerleader making that trip from South Dakota.

“6.5 to 7 hours there and back, every Tuesday,” Nelson said.

Once there, Nelson and the other candidates work out with personal trainers, brush up on team history, and learn new dance moves.

“It’s not the same as high school dancing or college dancing. It’s a little different, a little sassier,” Nelson said.

But those who know Nelson are confident she has what it takes and have her back, even though a spot on Minnesota’s squad would mean Nelson’s departure from the Lightning Girls.

“It will be tough to lose her but I know this is what she wants and I support her all the way,” Allison said

“I’m a big Vikings fan… so being able to get out and on the field with the Vikings fans, it’d be awesome,” Nelson said.