Laura is a rookie on the Swarm Performance Team. She was a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader and captain for six years and was selected as the 2008 Pro Bowl representative. She grew up in Iowa and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a communications degree. Laura now resides in Minneapolis and works in Talent Acquisition. Laura loves animals and has a dog and two cats. Laura is honored to be a part of this amazing group of women and is excited to see all of the fans this season.

Girl of the Week - March 30

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Q: This Saturday is Hive Cares night, dedicated to increase breast cancer awareness – should be a great event. Are the girls excited?

A: We are very excited! Not only because we have had such a long home-game hiatus, but obviously this is a cause that has affected everyone in some way, so we are proud to support it. We will be wearing pink shirts and using pink pom-poms in the first quarter.

Q: It’s been about a month since the Swarm played at home. Nervous at all?

A: We are ready! We have been practicing hard during this one-month game break and are ready to come back better than ever!

Q: Born and raised in Clive, Iowa – I’ve never heard of it. Is that a stereotypical Iowan town?

A: Definitely not. Clive is a suburb of Des Moines, (the capital, for ignorant non-Iowans) and feels like a mini-Minneapolis. I did eat a lot of corn growing up though! Maybe why I am six-feet tall?

Q: How did you like school at the University of Minnesota?

A: I loved it! I thought I wanted to go to school in New York, but my college advisor suggested I visit the U of M to see if it was the type of school I liked. Within the first hour of the visit I knew it was the school for me! I stayed very active while in school – I was in a sorority, was a fraternity sweetheart, a member of the Communication Studies Association, had a part-time job and also cheered for the Vikings, and somehow still graduated in four years. It was busy but a great experience, and prepared me for professional life.

Q: Are you using your degree or have you moved on to something else?

A: I work in Human Resources, so I am absolutely using it. Stay in school!

Q: You were captain of the Vikings Cheerleaders for six years. What makes you a leader?

A: Wow, that's a tough one! I think what makes a great leader is to have passion, knowledge, accountability, approachability, humor and an extreme amount of dedication, and I believe I had all of those as a captain for the Minnesota Vikings.

Q: Birthday coming up – any plans?

A: I am going to a hibachi steakhouse with my boyfriend and some friends. I plan on eating until I can't eat anymore – don't tell my coach! :)

Q: What’s the Junior Performance Team program all about?

A: Girls will be able to practice with us for two days and then perform at halftime of the April 17 game (which is also the game you can bring your dog!). Should be a great game!


Q: Is it fun to see younger kids share that passion for dance?

A: It is very fun. Most younger girls are just dancing because it's fun, so it is exciting when you can see the fun change to a passion for dance. It's great to be the one that inflicts the change!

Q: If you were a lacrosse player. What position would you play?

A: Defense because I am tall and can cover a lot of ground. But I think I will stick to dancing.

Q: Favorite experience with SPT so far this year?

A: Anytime with the girls! We had a potluck-PJ party before the holidays, went out for sushi together, and try and get in social time whenever we can. We are such a tight group and love hanging out with each other. We also have way too much fun when we use the giant sling shots to shoot t-shirts to fans at the games. Those sling shots are very unpredictable and we can't get rid of the giggles when we are attempting this feat!

Q: What should fans look forward to this Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center?

A: Other than a win, some great routines from the SPT! We haven't been called the best dance team in the NLL for nothing...