Foundation Four-peat: Lions cheer claims fourth consecutive state title

The reason performing at a championship level over a prolonged period in high school and college sports is so difficult is that your best athletes eventually graduate. That not only leaves behind a void to be filled because of their talent but also because of their experience and leadership. 

This constant cycle leaves championship-winning teams without the talent, experience or leadership that drove their success, meaning the following year’s team is often not good enough, disciplined enough or mature enough to maintain the same level of success. Inevitably, a program, after losing these types of athletes year over year, is bound to see its standard of performance dip.

But every now and then, there are special programs that are able to maintain the standard across generations of athletes. These dynasties have an unquantifiable quality to them, something that captures their communities and instills a winning standard that seems to regenerate in every new crop of athletes that walks through the program’s door. 

Foundation Academy’s competitive cheerleading team is one of those dynasties, and if you don’t believe that after the Lions’ 2024 season — during which they claimed a third consecutive state title, a national championship and a world championship — then winning a fourth-straight state crown with more than two-thirds of its roster being brand new to the sport should help drive home the point.

“I can confidently speak for both (co-coach) Kristin (Johnson) and myself when I say that we are incredibly proud of these girls,” Foundation co-coach Rachel Carey said. “This win means the world to us, and we never expected (it) to happen. We entered the season facing a complete rebuild. Last year, we graduated a talented group of seniors, and this year, we started fresh with a team of new athletes. Kristin and I had to go back to the basics, and in those early days, we weren’t sure if this team could live up to the legacy that had been built. But these athletes showed up day after day, putting in the hard work. It took time to master the fundamentals of stunting, but once they did, their growth was exponential. Skill-wise, this team is competing at a higher level than in past years. People are shocked at how talented this team is; however, with all of their hard work and dedication, it is not shocking to us.”

With the largest margin of victory among all other 2024-25 FHSAA classification or category state champions — topping state runners-up Immaculata-LaSalle High by 7.9 points (85.80 to 77.90) — the Lions once again showed the cheer world the Class 1A Large Non-Tumbling State Championship belongs to Foundation. 

“The girls are ecstatic about winning states, and as coaches, proud is an understatement,” Johnson said. “This season has been one surrounded by faith and a lot of prayers. We have over 67% of our team new to cheer, so when the season started, we knew we were going to work hard, but we (would be) starting from ground zero. The team worked hard and never stopped grinding (and) as the season progressed, they became the most consistent team we have had in years. Hitting the mat at states, the prayer was to hit a zero-deduction routine so they could walk off the mat knowing they did all they could. They did just that (and it) led to our fourth state title.”

The standard is set by its bearers

Photo by TK_PHOTOGRAPHY

With a roster full of newcomers, a special group of 2024 seniors graduated and off to college and the pressure of carrying the program’s dynastic standards looming for the returning members of the team, the journey back to the mountaintop required this group to reach a level of perseverance, patience and consistency only those with the heart of a champion know how to achieve.

“The girls needed to have grit and determination,” Carey said. “The journey wasn’t easy — there were tears along the way. The pressure of upholding a high standard challenged both our athletes and us as coaches. Through it all, we kept our faith in God and in (one another). We just kept moving forward, working hard and believing — and in the end, that made all the difference.”

Because this Lions team knew from the jump this season would be full of adversity, their group of veterans was able to reject the concept of coasting their way to a fourth state championship and understand the way back to the top would be long.

“Complacency was never an option,” Carey said. “The incoming athletes understood the legacy they were stepping into and our core group of veterans provided outstanding leadership. They were the driving force behind our progress, taking the new athletes under their wings and pushing them to strive for more. With every high and low, these veteran athletes lifted up the new athletes.”

Icing on the cake

With its state crown claimed and defended, Foundation now can shift its focus to defending its national and world championships beginning Friday, Feb. 7, at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. For Carey and Johnson, this last portion of the season is much more about enjoying their last moments with this special group of girls.

“Nationals and worlds are always more about fun; (they’re) the icing on the cake,” Johnson said. “We get to spend some fun time together as a team, going to Disney. As always, our goal is to finish the season with the girls hitting zero on the mat. We continue to prepare as always, cleaning the routine and practicing. This season has really just been incredible. (Rachel and I) have felt like it was such an easy season in terms of the athletes because they were so easy to coach with their great attitudes and work ethic. Seeing the joy on their faces, tears streaming down their eyes, and love for each other after hitting zero at states is a memory I will never forget. It was especially special for me getting to watch my daughter Kendall, who is a senior, accomplish her dream out there on the mat.”

Carey agrees and knows that even though they’re ready to go out there and compete, she’ll be focused on cherishing every moment. 

“Nationals is simply a bonus for us — we’re just grateful for another week together,” Carey said. “That doesn’t mean Kristin and I won’t approach it with a competitive mindset; we absolutely will. Our biggest hope is for the girls to perform their best, and whatever happens with placement is in the judges' hands. The team will continue to work hard while still having fun. Most important, we’ll cherish every moment of this final week together with this special group.”