Melanie Yakel was named Head Cheer Coach in July of 2026.
Yakel brings more than 20 years of cheerleading experience through both participation and coaching, with experience spanning sideline, competitive, and all-star cheer.Â
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Yakel most recently served as the head coach of Dakota Valley High School's competition, football sideline and basketball cheer programs, where she established one of South Dakota's top cheerleading programs.
After joining Dakota Valley in 2019 as the football sideline cheer coach, Yakel more than doubled the program's participation, increasing annual tryout numbers from approximately 15 athletes to more than 30 and leading to the addition of a junior varsity squad.
She assumed leadership of the Panthers' competition cheer program in 2020 and quickly guided the team to statewide success. In just her second season, Dakota Valley finished as the South Dakota Class A State Runner-Up in a field of 22 teams. Two years later, despite fielding a young roster of just nine athletes following the graduation of a senior-heavy class, the Panthers captured the South Dakota Small Division State Championship.
In addition to her high school coaching experience, Yakel served as an assistant coach for Level 1 and Level 2 youth teams at VIP Gymnastics & Cheer in North Sioux City from 2021-22.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Yakel was a member of the Sideline Cheer Team at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where she studied psychology and competed with the Chanticleers' club cheer team in the Intermediate All-Girl 1A division.
