POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – Excitement was in the air over the weekend at the Fifth District Cheer Competition. In first place and qualifying for state, Pocatello High School.
But despite winning first place with every routine they competed, it’s the loss looming ahead that’s on their minds. After 16 years of tumbling to triumphs and cheering for championships, Poky Thunder cheer coach Carly Johnson is hanging up her pom poms.
“I don’t even want to think about it,” Poky Cheer captain Zillia told Local News 8. “
During her tenure, coach Johnson transformed the Poky program into a powerhouse. But to her, there was something more important than the wins.
“I loved the way that I was coached and the way that I had that mentor and that person that I could lean on that was outside of my household,” said Johnson. “I think for me, that’s been a big part of coaching is being able to be that connection for kids when they’re not at home.”
Teaching skills for both on and off the mat
Her commitment to excellence pushed her athletes to achieve their full potential, both on and off the mat.
The coach calls the team her cheer babies. She says they’ve made a huge impact on her life, and watching them grow confident and strong has been the greatest reward.
“She pushes us to be our best selves,” Poky cheerleader Gwendolynn told Local News 8. “Even if we’re not wanting that at that moment, she pushes us to be our best selves, and she has made us feel welcome and so happy in this team.”
“She’s always so sweet and understanding, and she’s just really nice,” adds Allison of the Poky cheer team.
Johnson’s team tells us their coach has served as a mentor and a role model for hundreds of young athletes, teaching them not only the skills of cheerleading, but also valuable life lessons about teamwork, discipline and perseverance.
“I really try hard to teach them life skills, not just cheer skills,” Johnson told Local News 8. “My biggest goal for these guys is to be an incredible athlete, but then to leave our program being a good member of our community.”
But there’s one thing Johnson wants for the cheerleaders to remember, that they are unconditionally loved, that they always have someone rooting for them and that they matter.
