The Sidney Sun-Telegraph - Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper

What started as a fill-in assignment ended in one of the state's top coaching awards for a Sidney High School teacher.

Due to a late staff resignation, Carrie Nesbitt was asked if she would coach the Sidney High School cheer squad this year. She didn't know a lot about cheer and its competitions, but Nesbitt said "yes" to the request so students could have a supervisor in their endeavour.

That "yes" resulted in a letter last week informing Nesbitt that she had been chosen as the 2019 Nebraska Coaches Association Varsity Cheer Coach of the Year.

According to Sidney's senior cheerleaders, who nominated their coach, Nesbitt's dedication to the team and making its members better was behind the nod.

"She stepped up and led us until the end of the year," said senior Paige Hobson. "She put in a lit of time and effort that took her away from her own four children."

Teammate Haley Christoffersen said "she means a lot to our team. She could have stepped down, but she didn't. She means a lot to our team."

The cheerleaders said Nesbitt went to a camp and took some classes as they all worked to become better at their craft.

"We all learned together," said Madison Runge.

In all, Sidney hit the floor during the year with 16 cheerleaders, six of them seniors. The team's effort paid off at the state meet, where Sidney finished sixth. Not bad for a first year, rookie coach and her eager charges.

Nesbitt will be officially recognized by the Nebraska Coaches Association at its Awards and Recognition Banquet July 21 in Lincoln.