Cheerleader springs backward to world record (Video)

WASHINGTON – An Ohio high school cheerleader has a whole lot of spirit, and apparently some crazy-good balance.

Yahoo! and USA Today report Walsh Jesuit High School cheerleader Marie Klein set a new world record by pulling off 42 consecutive back handsprings last Friday.

The 4-foot-11 Klein performed the feat before her school’s game against the visiting St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, and said she almost passed out during the dizzying stunt.

“It was crazy,” Klein said, according to her school’s website. “I loved the way the crowd reacted. My mom was crying. It didn’t feel real at times as I did it.”

Yahoo notes the video appears to show 40 handsprings, although the school announced Klein performed 42. WTOP was afraid of contracting vertigo and did not count, but thinks either way it’s pretty cool.

Check out Klein’s performance below: (Nominally related side note: Walsh Jesuit is the alma mater of WTOP website boss John Meyer, while LeBron James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary. Meyer is quite proud of this accomplishment.)

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