Sioux Valley gunning for a 17th consecutive state Class A cheer title this weekend
SIOUX FALLS — Watertown and Aberdeen Central's squads and 16-time Class A cheer champion Sioux Valley are set to conclude their 2023 seasons this weekend in the State Competitive Cheer and Dance Championships in the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
Class A competition is scheduled for Friday, starting at 5:15 p.m. Class AA competition runs Saturday, starting at 11:15 a.m.
Here's a look at each division:
Class AA Cheer
Harrisburg is the defending division champion. The Tigers won last fall with a score of 290, followed by O'Gorman at 288 and Sioux Falls Jefferson 286.0. Watertown finished sixth at 261 and Aberdeen Central 17th at 243.
2022 State Championships: Harrisburg, Brandon Valley, Sioux Valley & Dakota Valley win cheer, dance titles
Aberdeen Central's performance is scheduled for 12:55 p.m. and Watertown's for 1:43 p.m. on Saturday.
"The girls are excited for state and hopeful for a top-5 finish," Watertown head coach Malory Hoffmann said after the Arrows finished second last week in the Eastern South Dakota Conference competition.
Class AA Dance
Brandon Valley is seeking a third-straight state title. The Lynx repeated as the grand champion last October with a 298 score, edging Sioux Falls Washington (297.5). Harrisburg took third at 288.25. Aberdeen Central took sixth (265.25) and Watertown 13th (246.0).
Aberdeen Central is slated to perform its pom routine at 11:59 a.m. and its hip hop routine at 2:11 p.m. on Saturday. Watertown's pom routine is scheduled for 12:03 p.m. and hip hop for 2:35 p.m.
"We're looking forward to working hard at practice this last week and going to state," said Watertown first-year head coach Carolyn Fraher.
Class AA cheer and dance awards are scheduled for about 3:20 p.m. on Saturday.
Class A Cheer
Head coach Casie King and Sioux Valley's Cossacks have won every Class A title (16 straight) since the sport was sanctioned by the South Dakota High School Activities Association in 2007.
Sioux Valley again is the likely favorite on Friday. The Cossacks will hit the mat for their performance at 7:19 p.m.
The Cossacks cruised to the title in 2022 with an overall score of 279. Dell Rapids St. Mary followed at 220.5 and Parkston 217.5.
Four other area squads are set to compete (Faulkton Area, Elkton-Lake Benton, Deubrook Area and Iroquois-Lake Preston). Faulkton Area took 13th (198.5), Elkton-Lake Benton 14th (196.0), Deubrook Area 15th (192.5) and Iroquois-Lake Preston 17th (181.0) last fall.
Faulkton Area is slated to perform at 5;47 p.m., Iroquois-Lake Preston 5:55 p.m., Deubrook Area 6:43 p.m. and Elkton-Lake Benton 7:27 p.m. on Friday.
Class A Dance
Dakota Valley is another team looking to continue a long winning streak. The Panthers have won 13 consecutive state Class A dance championships.
Last fall, Dakota Valley won withy an overall score of 297.5. Beresford was second at 282.75 and Tea Area third at 261.25.
Dakota Valley is again the likely favorite. The Panthers kick off Friday's events with their performance at 5:15 p.m.
Class A cheer and dance awards are scheduled for about 8 p.m. on Friday.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: A preview of the 2023 S.D. State Cheer and Dance Championships
