By Sarah Lechman

Hastings College welcomes back a familiar face as Coach Maddie Jagels steps into her role leading the cheer and dance teams. Originally from Omaha, Jagels has deep roots at Hastings, both as a former student and athlete, making her return especially meaningful.

Jagels attended Hastings College from 2019 to 2022, where she was a member of the cheer team and spent time training alongside the dance team. During her time as a student, she was heavily involved on campus, contributing to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Kappa Pi Art Honorary Society, among other activities, earning her a Hastings College Who’s Who award. Academically, she studied marketing, digital design, and development. Her parents still reside in Nebraska, while her sister currently attends school in Colorado.

After graduating, Jagels remained connected to the Hastings community. She coached at Hastings High School and worked in the business field locally, further strengthening her ties to the area. Although she grew up in Omaha, Hastings quickly became a place she considered home.

Her decision to return to Hastings College as a coach was driven by the strong impact the program had on her life. She credits her former coaches and teammates—many of whom are still her closest friends—for shaping her experience. Having been an athlete her entire life and participating in a wide variety of sports growing up, transitioning away from collegiate athletics was difficult. Coaching became a way for her to stay connected to a sport she loves and to give back to the programs that helped shape her.

This season brings excitement and growth for both teams. The cheer team is in a rebuilding year, with 12 athletes total and seven freshmen. The focus this season is on building confidence, strengthening team culture, and adapting to a new rulebook. 

The dance team is also preparing for a promising season, with six of their nine total athletes competing—half of whom are freshmen. Currently ranked seventh out of nine teams in the conference, their goal is to move into the top half by continuing to improve and grow together. 

Both teams will continue supporting fall game-day events and will begin competition season from mid-January through late March, with their first performance on January 23.

The teams also play a key role in building campus spirit and creating a strong sense of community across athletics. Coach Maddie is especially excited about the potential of the freshman athletes and the opportunity to continue developing the programs in the years ahead.

Jagels shared that she is grateful to be back at Hastings College and thankful for the opportunity to learn from other coaches on campus. She is appreciative of the trust placed in her as a young head coach and is committed to supporting her athletes both on and off the mat.

With her passion, experience, and connection to Hastings, Jagels is ready to lead the cheer and dance teams into an exciting new chapter.