MARCH 2014
All photos by Bobby Ericson with Ericson's Photography
All photos by Bobby Ericson with Ericson's Photography
Give us a couple of examples of how you look up to Nichole.
I look up to Nichole because she is my big sister. I have always wanted to be like her. She is a big inspiration to me; she isn't afraid to be herself and I admire that about her. She also isn't afraid to try new things and I love that. She has always been an inspiration to me.
Since you do cheerleading as well, did Nichole help you go down the cheerleading path?
Nichole was a big reason why I wanted to try cheerleading. She always made it seem fun and exciting. She was definitely the biggest reason for me doing it.
Tell us something that Nichole’s coaches and teammates may not know about her.
Nichole is an open book so it's hard to say what people do and don't know about her. I would have to say they probably don't know she eats lamb fries (lamb testicles), she used to be the biggest tomboy, and when we were kids her and my brother had an imaginary land called Dream Land! They would get in the closet and climb up onto the shelf and pretend it was a rocket ship taking them to Dream Land. They wouldn't let me come with ever! Instead I had to sit outside the bedroom door and once they landed in Dream Land they would let me in.
If you had to describe Nichole in one word, what would it be?
One word to describe Nichole is fearless. She isn't afraid to try new things; she isn't afraid to be herself; she shows that you can do anything if your tell yourself you can and you go for It. Nichole is fearless!
Is there anything else you can tell us about Nichole?
Nichole is an amazing person. She is upbeat, dorky, and spontaneous; you just never know what she is going to do next! Nichole strives to do her best in everything and she won't take anything less. She is very inspiring and she will always be the best sister in the world
Cassie C. (Teammate)
How does Nichole lead by example during practices and on game days?
Nichole leads by example by always starting cheers, encouraging our team, and being cheery and spunky at all times. She is always doing something productive to make herself and our team better. Nichole summed up in one word would be "spirited". My favorite memory of Nichole would be our golf tournament in Whorland when we made a honk if you're horny sign. Nichole is a great leader and one of my best friends. She is so dedicated to cheer and takes so much pride in what she does. University of Wyoming (WU) athletics is lucky to have her as an ambassador for their program. She gives our university and cheerleading a good name and represents the fundamental reasons that we do what we do.
Mary S. (Coach)
How does Nichole lead by example during practices and on game days?
Nichole leads by example in every way. I know, as her coach I can always count on her to take control when I am not present. She stretches, dances, stunts, jumps, and tumbles without being asked. We have a team with 14 freshmen on it, which means being an example is even more important to the success of this program this year!
If you had to describe Nichole in one word, what would it be?
Hilarious (this was a hard one! I also would use: crazy, loud, dependable, smart, fun).
What is Nichole's biggest strength in cheer?
Nichole’s biggest strength in cheer is her confidence. She is actually a quite shy person, but when she is in uniform, she instantly turns on. She is the person that I can send into any appearance or performance and know that she is representing the UW spirit program in the best way. I know that her smile lights up the arena and that her voice can be heard over everyone else’s. Because of her confidence, she has grown in so many ways!
What is your favorite memory about Nichole?
I have a couple of favorite memories of Nichole- I remember at tryouts her first year (and my and Marcie’s first year) she was this crazy, tiny, quiet little thing. But she was not scared to rock the fake wig of curls! She had this ponytail that she would clip on of these huge 90's curls. She wore them all the time her first year! They can be seen in the calendar that year. We HATED them and told her to burn them eventually! Also one time this year at practice, she farted so loud it echoed (because it was absolutely silent) and she didn't even try to hide it! We all laughed until we cried and it was no sweat off of Nichole’s back. That is the type of person she is, what you see is what you get!
Is there anything else you can tell us about Nichole?
There are so many things I admire about Nichole. She is strong beyond anyone's imagination. She has been through more than anyone her age should ever have to go through. It has been a blessing to watch her grow into a secure, talented, and smart woman! I am so proud of who she has become! And I love her to death.
How did Nichole get started in cheerleading?
When I took on the cheerleading coach job, I told my girls that if they ever tried out for cheerleading I would quit. When I started coaching, I would take my team to gymnastics camp in Evanston and always take Nichole with. On Wednesdays throughout the school year when I would take the cheerleaders to open tumbling night, Nichole always went. She loved gymnastics. In order to compete in the stunt competition at state, you need tumbling and my team was a little weak in that area, so at the end of her sophomore year I begged Nichole to try out for cheerleading because I needed another tumbler. She did. That year, we had a 3-way tie for 1st! The very next year we ended up taking 3rd place with just 5 girls. That year while competing against much bigger teams, we took home 1st place in another competition.
What is it like when you see Nichole cheering?
When I watch Nichole cheer, I well up with pride. I love watching her do something she loves and I am very proud of all her accomplishments
Every time I watch Nichole, it is exciting for me. Although I coach from the bleachers and tell her what needs to be fixed or what I saw that was good or bad, EVERY TIME is exciting as the first time I watched her cheer!
Tell us something that her coaches and teammates may not know about her.
What you may not know is that Nichole said that if gymnastics was offered in our high school, she would have done that instead of the other sports.
She was a wrestling manager for 7 years. I had to beg them to let her be the manager and by the end of the first year they loved her. She had been going with us every weekend since she was 3 and knew wrestling inside and out. At the end of her senior year, the coach asked if she could be held back so they could keep her as the manager.
Nichole played volleyball and basketball in Middle School.
Nichole started swimming in 6th grade and diving I believe her junior year of high school
Nichole is very caring toward the elderly and to anyone with disabilities. Her grandmother had MS, which created her compassion towards others. Building on this, I worked with the severely handicapped children at the high school and elementary school level. In high school, Nichole’s diving coach had a handicapped child, which showed Nichole her love of helping people who have special needs.
Her middle name is after her great grandmother Eline Anderson.
Nichole can sing. Nichole and Jacque sang the national anthem at the state wrestling tournament.
If you had to describe Nichole in one word, what would it be?
DEDICATED---what ever it is she does she always gives 100%
Forest T. (Teammate)
Describe Nichole in one word.
If I could describe Nichole in one word, it would be passionate.
Marcie P. (Former Coach)
How does Nichole lead by example during practices and on game days?
Nichole is always the first one to jump in and do anything that is asked of her- basing, flying, tumbling, cheering - anything! She is the perfect model of leading by example!
If you had to describe Nichole in one word, what would it be?
One word that describes Nichole is heart. She has a big one! She'll do anything for anyone at anytime. Not only this, but she isn't afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve and by doing this, she gains the trust of her teammates and coaches. They can see the real, genuine Nichole and they want to be around her.
Is there anything else you can tell us about Nichole?
Although I was Nichole's coach for 3 years, I learned as much, or more, from her than she did from me. She is a wonderful person and I am thankful that I know her and can call her a friend!
Jacque B. (Teammate)
How does Nichole lead by example during practices and on game days?
Nikki leads by example by always offering help those who need it whether it be with cheer or something else. One word (well two) about Nikki would be social butterfly. My favorite memory is randomly going to Fort Collins and going to a Poudre HS football game. Nicole naturally likes to take charge and works hard at everything she puts her mind too and is able to always achieve it.
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