Cheerleader ranks high at worlds

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Karlyn Hanson stood just off the floor not knowing what to do or say as several pairs of eyes peered back at her in silence.

With a crutch tucked under each arm to support her sprained ankle, the then eighth-grader nervously watched dozens of girls her age try out for a coveted spot on the Brandon All-Stars competitive senior team.

Hanson, who had just moved to Florida from a small town in Tennessee at the time, had already mailed her tryout video to the coaching staff. Now, all she could do was wait.

After the two-day tryout ended, Hanson learned she had received one of the spots on the team.

“It was really scary and very intimidating,” Hanson says of attending the tryout. “My parents made me go in, but it helped me adjust more. It was a good way to get started off.

“My sprained ankle was a blessing in a way, because I feel like it would’ve been a lot worse if I had to try out (with everyone else). It (definitely) taught me to be open to new things.”

Now three years later, the Lakewood Ranch High sophomore balances her time between cheering for the Mustangs and being a part of the Brandon All-Stars senior co-ed Level 5 team.

Hanson closed out her third competitive season with the Brandon All-Stars during the 2014 Cheerleading Worlds April 26 through April 28, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Hanson and her teammates finished second out of 91 teams in their division, which featured teams from the U.S., Japan and Thailand, among others.

“It’s crazy because there were so many people there, so to be able to get second was really cool,” Hanson says. “I never dreamed I would go to worlds and win second. Of course we all wanted to get first, but I’m grateful for the opportunity. Coming from a small town, it’s just amazing.”

Following the 2014 Cheerleading Worlds, Hanson returned to the gym to prepare for another series of tryouts.

Three weeks ago, Hanson made Lakewood’s varsity squad for the second consecutive season. She and her teammates traveled to Naples Lely High to cheer the Mustangs on in their spring game May 23.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Hanson says of cheering for Lakewood. “It’s really fun to meet everyone, and it’s good to represent the school. Friday nights are crazy because there are so many people in the stands.”

A week after making the Lakewood cheerleading squad, Hanson made the Brandon All-Stars for the third consecutive year.

Hanson will now spend the summer practicing three days a week with the Brandon All-Stars in addition to practicing with Lakewood.

Hanson plans to spend the time strengthening her tumbling skills, which include adding on to her double full, before returning to the sidelines to cheer on Lakewood’s football team at the end of August.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].