What was once a dream became a reality for Powell High School senior cheerleader Kolby Crichton, when he was named to the All-State co-ed cheerleading squad.

“It felt great to be named All-State my senior year,” Crichton said. “I have wanted to try out since my first state competition freshman year and got to make that dream become reality.”

Auditioning for the All-State teams has shifted in years’ past, as students now audition for the team over a Zoom call, meaning they’re unable to gauge the reaction of the judges while learning routines and dances to perform online.

“It was weird learning dances and cheers off videos but it was pretty fun,” Crichton said. “The most stressful part was the actual audition over a Zoom call because I couldn’t see my judges and cheering to a camera just feels so much different than cheering to a crowd.”

Trying out for All-State is a nomination process that comes from coach Vicki Walsh.

“I always give my seniors the opportunity to try out if they want to,” Walsh said. “Of my seven seniors I had three try out … I was so proud of all three that tried out, it was not an easy process and to me they all deserved it, but like cheer competition it is subjective to what the judges like.”

She said Crichton was the first Panther to be named an All-State cheerleader.

Crichton has been a part of the PHS cheer squad all four years of his high school career, inspired by the All-State performance while also getting a rush from going out and performing every time in front of the crowd.

“I wanted to try out for All-State because I love watching the All-State performances at state every year,” he said. “Plus, I enjoy the rush I get from performing routines.”

Throughout his career Crichton said that cheer has continued to teach him that trust, commitment and communication are needed in all aspects of his life while learning his individual strength as part of a team.

“We are stronger as a team, and having everyone bring something to the table makes each individual person better within themselves,” Crichton said.

As part of the All-State team, Crichton got to perform a routine in front of the crowd at the Ford Wyoming Center along with the other All-State selections.

“It meant the world to me because I am already part of something larger with my own team. I got to see what the rest of Wyoming had to bring and work with these new people to make something amazing happen,” Crichton said.

In addition to that performance, Walsh said Crichton will go to Laramie to perform with the other All-State winners in a performance during a University of Wyoming women’s basketball game against Fresno State on March 2.

While his final state competition is done, the cheer team will continue to perform at events for the Panthers. Crichton said the team has helped him grow along with his family over the years.

“I truly couldn’t have done this without my coaches teaching me how to be a cheerleader in the first place,” Crichton said. “Plus my team supporting me throughout my years to help me grow as a person and a cheerleader, and finally my family for always being so supportive and helping push me to try 110% in everything I do.”