A Sigourney cheerleader has become the first recruit for William Penn University’s 2027-28 cheer and dance program — and the announcement came with a special twist, according to a social media post from the William Penn University Cheer and Dance program.
Sophie Young, a senior at Sigourney High School, has committed to continue her cheer and dance career at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, becoming the program’s first recruit for the 2027-28 season. In addition to cheer and dance, Young is a multi-sport athlete at Sigourney, also competing in bowling, volleyball, and soccer. She was selected to the 2025-26 IGHSAU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a junior, serving as a voice for Iowa girl athletes and working to improve state championships and student-athlete experiences.
What makes the commitment announcement particularly special is that Sophie was recruited by her own mother — Head Cheer and Dance Coach Trisha Black.
Black, who operates Southeast Iowa Elite, a cheer and dance studio in Sigourney, was hired as William Penn’s head cheer and dance coach earlier this year. She also served as the basketball cheer coach at Sigourney High School from 2021 to 2024.
“Getting to watch her grow up in this sport has been incredible, but getting the opportunity to coach her at the college level someday will be something I’ll never take for granted,” Black wrote in the announcement. “From being her mom, to being one of her coaches… this is going to be a pretty special chapter.”
