Lady Lynx cheerleaders are back-to-back state champs

The mats were clear, the routines were done, judges were deliberating and a gym full of cheerleaders, coaches and fans were on the edge of their seats. The results of the Class AA State Competitive Cheer Championships were moments away, and Brandon Valley coach Katee Lane had a feeling it would come down to four teams: Sioux Falls Washington, Harrisburg, Sioux Falls O’Gorman and Brandon Valley. She just didn’t know in which order. 

When Washington was announced as runner-up, Lane and activities director Randy Marso still held their breaths. Eight teams are announced, and Brandon Valley hadn’t been called yet. Was it possible the Lynx placed ninth? Or had they won? Either seemed equally possible in those adrenaline-filled, nerve-wracking moments. But Lane had a gut feeling, and it proved correct. 

On Saturday, Oct. 21, Brandon Valley was named Class AA’s state cheer champion – the highest honor awarded to a South Dakota cheer team – for the second year in a row. 

The phone calls and texts poured in. Lane even got a belated congrats the next day while grocery shopping. 

“Two state titles – shouldn’t you have someone be doing that for you?” the person joked. 

The Lady Lynx coach spoke at Brandon Valley High School’s welcome home event Sunday night. 

“Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to is,” she said. “We have nine freshmen who didn’t know what it was like – but they knew they wanted it.”

Brandon Valley took the top prize with 10 new members, injuries sustained during the season and a slow start. The Lynx weren’t always on top at meets; in fact, they walked away with a few fifth-place finishes and even one seventh.

“It’s easy to get defeated and down and not want to work as hard when you finish fifth,” Lane said. “These girls didn’t.”

Team captain and senior Shanley Zahn said no team deserved the title more. She thanked her teammates, parents and coaches.

“I wouldn’t be the cheerleader I am today without them. They were always believing in us and pushing us,” she said.

Brandon Valley High school principal Dr. Gregg Talcott congratulated the cheer team and warned them they had set a precedent for state competition. 

“Everyone wants a piece of you, you’re always in the hunt and no one’s crossing your name off the list,” Talcott said. 

Winning state also won BV’s competition cheer squad a certain bet with Marso. 

“I made a really stupid deal,” Marso confessed to the crowd of students, staff and fans Sunday at the high school. 

“‘Nobody wins back-to-back cheer championships,’” he told the team at the start of the season.

Marso will eat his words when he wears a cheer outfit to school. A date wasn’t set, but the girls can’t wait for Marso to make good on his promise.

 

Class AA State Competitive Cheer Championships

Grand Champion Cheer: 1.) Brandon Valley 253.5; 2.) SF O’Gorman 253; 3.) Harrisburg 237.5; 4.) SF Washington 233.5; 5.) SF Roosevelt 233; 6.) Brookings 220; 7.) Watertown 218; 8.) RC Stevens 217; 9.) Huron 210.5; 10.) Aberdeen Central 207.5; 11.) RC Central 203.