Two Northfielders Make Vikings Cheerleading Team

By Nick Gerhard
SothernMinn.com

Michelle

When Northfield High School graduates Michelle Polzin and Ting Ting Yang wanted to continue with their dancing careers they found themselves trying out for the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleading team.

Polzin accomplished her goal of making the team last season, but it took Yang another year before she got to share the experience. Both were recently named to the team.

Yang learned of the tryouts from a former dance instructor, Colleen Day, a former Vikings cheerleader. But it took Yang four attempts to finally land a spot on the team with 34 other women.

“The moment I got into the open competitions it was just a vibe I got from everyone,” Yang said. “All the women that I met they’re just so genuine. I loved it so much that I had to come back just so I could experience it again.”

Yang and Polzin emerged from a field of nearly 100 at the open tryout in April. The team held a final tryout April 22 at the Mall of America rotunda and also had to pass an exam with a 95 percent, which included a portion where participants had to name every NFL team and the correct conference it plays in.

Polzin, a dancer all through high school and some in college, learned about the team through her cousin, who had been a Vikings cheerleader for six years.

Ting Ting

“I think it’s the highest professional level of dancing you can achieve,” Polzin said.

Cheerleaders are expected to make two to three appearances a monthly and attend practice two to three times a week. The practices run three hours. Cheerleaders are expected to work out on their own three to four times a week, Yang said.

Working for the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleading team is considered a part-time job for the team. Cheerleaders must have a full-time time, be a full-time student or a full-time mother.