Our Staff
Nicole Podraza
Owner, Cheerleading Director, Hip Hop Dancer, Gymnastics Team Coach
Nicole Podraza, an individual who believes in leadership, mentorship and guidance, owns Thunder Elite. This role model to children and young adults has been coaching in the Bryan/College Station area since 1999, but has coached since 1995. As a gymnast, she competed for Bela Karolyi through level 9. Upon leaving gymnastics, she was a cheerleader for 7 years including being a member of the national championship team from Sam Houston State University in 1997. She has coached competitive cheerleading, competitive gymnastics, and competitive hip-hop. Her gymnasts and her cheer and hip-hop teams have achieved many awards, including national titles. Along with her students, she was awarded Coach of the Year by American CheerPower both in 2006 and 2007. These accolades hang from the walls of Thunder Elite not only for recognition, but also as a constant reminder that hard work, a CAN DO attitude, and the will to never give up does pay off.
Nicole LOVES kids and it reflects in everything she does for Thunder Elite. The ultimate goal is to teach the day-to-day business to everyone in order to pay it forward and gain confidence in knowing that you can achieve your dream by fighting for what you believe in.
One of Nicole’s favorite quotes, “If you never have a bad day, how would you know when you had a good one?”
Jackie Barrett
Manager, Gymnastics Team Coach, Class Instructor
Jackie Barrett is a TEAM player and wants to be a part of the Thunder Elite Team. Her love for children and for gymnastics makes her a dynamic coach. She is a dream builder and feels she assist in making kids dreams come true by helping them achieve their personal goals. Jackie is motivated, determined, and compassionate in her day-to-day routine at Thunder Elite as she inspires kids to reach for the stars. Jackie has been participating in gymnastics since she was 18 months old. Her discipline for the sport shined through as a student and shines through as a coach.
Jackie’s favorite quote is,” Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out!”
Callie Craigen
Team Coach, Class Instructor, Extra Activities
Callie Craigen is a GYM RAT! She absolutely LOVES being in the gym and feels she is at home while being in the day to day life of Thunder Elite. Callie attended Thunder Elite for 10 years and participated in cheerleading. Her enthusiasm for the sport shines in everything she does. She wants to pay it forward by assisting kids in developing the confidence of liking a sport, being excited about developing skills within that sport, work hard, and accomplish the goals you set for yourself. With that comes SUCCESS as it did for her, not only as a student, but also now as a part of the Thunder Elite staff.
One of Callie’s favorite quotes is "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened." Jake Holderman
Chandler Moerbe
Cheer Team Coach, Class Instructor
Chandler Moerbe has a great deal of respect of Thunder Elite, the atmosphere they provide, and the level of cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance they offer. Chandler loves cheerleading and has been tumbling since she was 5 and competing competitively in cheerleading since she was small child. She competed 11 years and has been coaching for 5 years. Chandler loves teaching and coaching kids in hopes she can make a difference in each student she works with. Chandler prides herself in being friendly, motivated, and hardworking and displays that daily at Thunder Elite.
Morgan Maddux
Cheer Team Coach
Morgan Maddox wants to work for someone who is truly passionate about cheerleading and cares about his or her staff as though their staff as like family, this is what landed her at Thunder Elite. With 10 years of experience in competitive cheerleading, 4 years of experience in coaching, her goal is to have every one realize their full potential and be the best they can be. Dedicated to what she is committed to, compassionate with others, and hardworking allows her to excel in all areas of being a mentor to youth. Customer service is a must for her and it is important to be current in your teaching, be trendy, approachable, and knowledgeable so that customers feel comfortable and know they are receiving the BEST service in a safe environment.
Morgan's favorite quote comes from 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.”
Kallie Lerchbacker
Gymnastics Team Coach, Class Instructor
Kallie Lerchbacker has a passion for gymnastics. Her love for the sport shows in the way she coaches children. Kallie was a competitive gymnast for 13 years until an injury transitioned her from a student to a coach, coaching gymnastics and competitive cheerleading. She enjoys watching kids develop new skills and perfect current skills and enjoys the excitement exuded by her students when they have accomplished a goal. Her kindness, caring nature, and willingness to be open-minded makes the class environment EASY and FUN. Kallie believes that the customer is the number one priority and she wants to be sure that Thunder Elite is meeting their needs.
Kallie’s favorite quote is,” Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place. Have faith in your own abilities, work hard and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.”
Sabrina Hunt
Team Coach, Class Instructor
Sabrina Hunt wanted the opportunity to work with a GREAT company and a wonderful employer, all of which fell under the roof of Thunder Elite. Sabrina has experience in gymnastics and cheer and has worked with a variety of ages. Sabrina is responsible, punctual, and reliable and is known for her kindness, energetic personality, and is extremely driven to teach and assist others in being successful.
Sabrina's favorite quote, “Without struggle, there is no progress.”
Frankie Harris
Class Instructor
Frankie Harris has had gymnastics as a part of her life since she was a child. Ultimately coaching would be her goal in this sport as she developed as a gymnast. She enjoys teaching gymnastics because if the LOVE of the sport and wants her students to enjoy it s much as she did growing up. Her outgoing spirit and friendly personality makes the class environment FUN. Frankie enjoys building relationship with the students and their families. It is important to keep everyone in the know in order to develop skills and gain confidence. It is a TEAM effort and that is why Frankie’s favorite quote is,” There is no "I" in "TEAM!”
Morgan Mahle
Class Instructor
Morgan Mahle is a cheerleader at heart and utilizes the skills from cheerleading to teach teamwork. She enjoys coaching kids and with her experience in cheerleading and dance combined with her fun and cheerful attitude, her positive energy exudes in the youth she teaches. She was on the first Thunder Elite Cheerleading Team in 2000, which makes her a Thunder Elite Alumni. Thunder Elite is HOME for Morgan and considers those who are a part of Thunder Elite as family.
Morgan’s favorite quote comes from Philippians 4:13,” I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Hannah Hardin
Class Instructor
Hannah Hard is PASSIONATE about dance, cheer, and tumbling. She truly cares about skill sets and wanting others to love these sports as much as she does. Her experience in all three loves shine through her resume. Hannah is dedicated, bubbly, and charismatic and these traits are apparent when she is working with the youth at Thunder Elite. She wants her students to realize their full potential and trust their training in order to improve their talent.
Hannah’s favorite quote comes from Proverbs 3:5-6,”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.”
Allison Pettett
Class Instructor
Allison Pettett LOVES gymnastics and has landed at Thunder Elite due to missing the sport and coaching. Allison was a competitive gymnast for 13 years and has been coaching for 6 years and truly believes the product of your environment is what makes it FUN. Her belief, the kids make coaching FUN! Allison’s energetic and silly personality makes her stand out. Her goal is making sure her customers are happy and lets them know they have a voice when they want to address triumphs and concerns.
Allison’s favorite quote is, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Cecily Crittenden
Class Instructor
Cecily Crittenden LOVES coaching kids and with a cheer background and 10 years of experience, she will do just that…COACH! Cecily displays patience with all those she coaches and with her outgoing look on life and wanting the best for those she coaches, the sky is the limit for her as well as those she teaches. Her customers are her first priority and she wants every individual to feel important.
Cecily's favorite quote, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Jordan Miller
Class Instructor
Jordan Miller wants to develop and assist with motor skills. With experience in cheerleading, dance, and coaching, this Class Instructor is well rounded to assist in every area of Thunder Elite. Although disciplined in how she coaches, Jordan is down to earth and FUN! She wants every class to be productive and wants every customer to feel that their investment with Thunder Elite is valuable and WORTH IT!
Jordan's favorite quote, “Live, laugh, love.”
Matt Stephens
Class Instructor
Matt Stephens has had a passion for gymnastics since he was a small child. He also has always had the desire to teach and coach youth in gymnastics, which is why he has landed at Thunder Elite. Matt has gained experience through coaching at other facilities as well as taking his accolades and utilizing those wins to assist others in setting goals and achieving them. Matt was the 2008 State Champion in Trampoline as well as a nationally ranked competitor in the double-mini. Matt is honest, hard working, genuine in his coaching, compassionate in his teaching, and aspiring in his mentoring of others.
His favorite quote comes from 1 John 3:11, “How great is the love the father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Clinton Hollis
Class Instructor
Clinton Hollis enjoys working with youth. With 5 years of experience in tumbling, 2 years of experience in being a mascot, you can only imagine the positive energy that Clint exudes. His outgoing and CRAZY personality is reflected in his coaching, that is why the kids LOVE working with him. His priority is keeping everyone safe while maintaining a happy environment. He has a great deal of pride of making sure there is a safe environment while maintaining a balance of respect as well as providing a positive and energetic environment.
His favorite quote, “When I am not training I’m working, and when I’m not working I’m resting so I can train another day.”