by Eileen Jakeway

CORNELIUS – Kristin Tabor, 17, was recently named to the All-State Cheerleading Team from Hough High School. She is the only local cheerleader to receive this recognition, and it’s part of a growing –  résumé.

Kristin, nicknamed “Tiny Tot” for her small size, began her career when she was 5, hanging around at the gym at her older sister’s cheer practices. Kristin took to the sport quickly, making the All-Stars Pee Wee team when she was only 6. At 7, she performed on “The Early Show” with her first competition team.

She continued to cheer competitively, also participating in cheerleading at Bailey Middle School. She made the competitive varsity squad at Hopewell High School as a freshman.

That same year, the then– 82-pound freshman won two state and a national cheerleading championship competitions with the Hopewell squad. She turned her small frame into a big advantage as the team’s flyer, twisting and turning in mid-air.

Now cheering at Hough High as a rising senior, Kristin has high hopes for the future.

“I think Hough will be able to compete next year,” Kristin said. “I definitely want to go for another (championship) ring.”

To those goals, she practices several hours a week and is always looking to improve her game and her team’s performance.

“She works hard to perfect her flying and tumbling skills,” Hough Coach Jenna Anderson said. “She also brings creative cheers to the team so we have something unique to use at games.”

Of the 175 girls that tried out for the All-State team, she was one of only 30 who made it.

Four other girls from Hough made All-Region.

“Being a cheerleader requires a lot of hard work and dedication,” Kristin said. “The hardest part is being able to manage my schedule.”

About to begin her senior year at Hough, Kristin practices four nights a week for All-State and has cheer practice five nights a week for the school team. She also has to juggle her job at Tenders, AP classes and duties as the school’s yearbook editor.

Kristin hopes to continue cheerleading in college and wants to major in business and possibly minor in design. She is currently considering attending the College of Charleston.