Powerhouse Baylor lands Norwin senior

Tri-State Sports & News Service

Just like a football player choosing to play at Alabama or a basketball player picking Duke, Norwin senior Hannah Chrisman committed to a national power last week.

Only her sport is one that most know little about.

Chrisman is headed to Baylor to compete in acrobatics and tumbling.

So what exactly is acrobatics and tumbling?

“Acrobatics and tumbling is sort of a mixture of gymnastics and cheerleading,” Chrisman said. “It really allows competitive cheer and gymnasts to pursue their dreams in college. In competitive cheer there’s not much in college, just sidelines. Gymnasts don’t have much more in college. This sport allows those athletes to compete in college.”

Chrisman has been a cheerleader since she was 5 years old. She also competed in gymnastics from ages 5 through 8, eventually giving up the sport to concentrate on cheerleading. In addition to cheerleading at Norwin, Chrisman cheers competitively for HotCheer in Elizabeth.

Acrobatics and tumbling didn’t become a collegiate sport until 2011. A total of 23 schools now have programs and they compete in the NCATA (National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association). Among the member schools are Gannon and West Liberty. This season’s national championships will be held at Gannon in April. Baylor and Oregon have met in the final the past three seasons.

Chrisman became aware of the sport when she was a freshman and it piqued her interest. She said she began to follow Baylor because it has developed into the sport’s top program. Baylor is the three-time defending national champion and is ranked No. 1 in the country this season.

Chrisman said that an assistant coach at Baylor reached out to HotCheer owner Kelly Makay, asking if she had any cheerleaders who might be interested in going to Baylor. Makay suggested Chrisman, who visited the school in Waco, Texas, last month and was offered a scholarship. A few days later, she committed to the national power.

“It really feels amazing and I’m still shocked by it,” Chrisman said. “I could be doing what I love at the greatest place to do it. It’s pretty amazing and breathtaking. I’m still shocked. My family is shocked. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

Chrisman, who credits her success to coaches Kayra Tietze and Nicole Pasqualino, will be a “top” at Baylor. “I’ll be the girl flying in the air doing the tosses and all that fun,” Chrisman said, laughing.

More offers for Davis

Talented Gateway freshman Derrick Davis picked up a few more offers recently. Davis, a running back-linebacker, was offered by Ohio State and Baylor. His offer list also includes Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia and Temple. Davis was named to the MaxPreps Freshman AllAmerican Team after making a big impact for the WPIAL Class 5A champions. Davis’teammate, junior wide receiver-defensive back Courtney Jackson, was also offered by Baylor this past weekend. It was Jackson’s first Power 5 offer.

Football commitments

Central Catholic’s Terran Moore (Allegheny), Freeport’s Jake Sarver (Clarion), Fox Chapel’s Scott Hastings (Grove City), South Fayette’s Johnny Beck (John Carroll), Fox Chapel’s Braydon Thomas (John Carroll), Freedom’s Kyle Borgman (Robert Morris), Hampton’s Jack Bish (Washington & Jefferson).

Basketball commitment

Penn-Trafford’s Sean Kelly (York College).

Track commitment

North Allegheny’s Sean Bartholomew (Bucknell).