Last Tuesday South Dakota State beat North Dakota State 75-69 in the Summit League tourney title game to earn an automatic bid to next week’s NCAA tournament. The Jackrabbits are the hottest team in the nation, having won 21 straight games during the past 3 months as they made the NCAA tourney for the 1st time since 2018. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with South Dakota State dancer Jenna Skaggs about being a captain and that amazing winning streak.
You were born in Minnesota: what made you choose South Dakota State? After touring 14 different schools I decided on South Dakota State because it gave me a small-town feel that I was used to growing up with. After meeting with the faculty within HDFS (Human Development/Family Science) at SDSU I had determined that this school was the best fit for my education.
You have been a member of the dance team for 3 years: how did you 1st get into dancing, and what is the best part? I first got into dance in kindergarten when my mom signed me up for a local dance clinic. I had a great time there and was very excited to learn new skills. After this experience I joined a studio in my hometown and have been dancing ever since. The best part about this sport is performing routines in front of people that you have worked on for months at a time. Being that dances are so short you only have about two minutes to show the crowd what you have worked so hard on.
What do you think the role of a college dancer is today, and how has it changed over time? The primary role of a college dancer is to cheer on and support the other teams during the games that we attend. It is extremely important to attend these events with a professional stance and cheer on the teams to victory. Outside of events the role of a college dancer is to perfect choreography and tricks that we are given to compete in routines at competitions such as at nationals. These are other opportunities we have to represent our school so it is important to remain professional and portray good sportsmanship.
You are 1 of the team’s captains this year: what is the key to being a good leader? One key to being a good leader that I have learned throughout this year is keeping a positive mindset at every practice and event. When a leader has a negative mindset, it is contagious to the entire team and makes it almost impossible to accomplish our goals. Staying positive and focusing on the goals we have set as a team is something that I try to do each day to be a good leader.
You are majoring in Human Development/Family Science and double-minoring in Mental Health Services and Psychology: why did you pick those subjects, and what do you plan to do after graduating? The reason I picked these topics is because I have a big heart for advocating for others and working with children. Growing up I had many situations where I was advocated for, and I would love to give back by helping other children who may need the same help. After graduation I plan to begin working as a Behavioral Technician and work my way up to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Last Tuesday in the Summit tourney title game the Jackrabbits had a 6-PT win over North Dakota State: how excited was everyone to make the NCAA tournament for the 1st time since 2018? Last Tuesday’s game was something I had never experienced before. The school pride that each Jackrabbit fan brought to the court was what made the game so exciting. All of our fans were on their feet for every point that the players scored, which made the experience so amazing. The dance team was very excited for the players and to get another opportunity to travel with the team to support SDSU basketball. We are very grateful for the opportunity to travel to the NCAA tournament and cannot wait to show off our Jackrabbit pride!
Since losing at Missouri State in mid-December your team has won 21 games in a row: has it reached a point where everyone just expects them to win every time that they step onto the court? This year our men’s basketball team has been very successful…but I do not think that people expect them to just walk on the court and win. The determination and dedication of this team is different than teams from the past: you can tell how hard they are working both on and off the court. I believe that this is why the team has been so successful this year.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing their thing in front of a national TV audience? Our athletic department generously switches travel between the dance team and cheer team. When the dance team has its opportunity to travel the first people that are chosen are upperclassmen. For this tournament the dance team will be bringing 12 girls. I think that this is an opportunity that is very unique so it will be exciting to perform in front of this audience. Many girls have never traveled with the team due to COVID so we are grateful for this opportunity.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for the NCAA tournament? The special thing that we have planned for the NCAA tournament is performing our favorite hip hop routine!
Any predictions for the NCAA tourney? Jacks all the way!