The stage will be set for Alpena High School cheerleader Maya Frank tonight as she will be attempting to break a world record in front of a homecoming crowd during halftime of the Alpena-Petoskey football game at Wildcat Stadium.

Frank will be attempting to set two new world records tonight as she will start at the back of one end zone and do continuous back handsprings across the length of the field, attempting to break the current record of 48 along with setting a new mark for the most continuous back handsprings across 100 yards.

“I’ve always done back handsprings and I’ve always love them and doing so many. People have been so amazed by how many I can do and I just thought it would be a really cool thing because I saw a video on the internet of this one girl going for the record and that’s kind of when I decided that I wanted to try this,” Frank said.

There was an application process in order to officially be eligible to break a world record. Frank has exchanged applications and e-mails with the Guinness World Records and this moment will be captured on video and sent in if the record is set tonight.

The practice Frank and coach Angel Howard have put in since the idea was brought up has been intense and the record is something that both Howard and Frank are excited about.

“I’m really excited for her and I’m hoping she accomplishes this, because it would be huge for her. Maya started her first practice with me two years ago and she is one of my athletes who is determined, always fun, has something to say and gets the job done,” Howard said. “I have been making her practice this since she brought up the idea and the practices have gone well and I am confident in her.”

Breaking a world record be impressive, but what might stand out even more is the fact that Frank is just a 14-year-old freshman.

“If I do break this record, it’s going to be a pretty amazing accomplishment because there are so many people know that I’ve been wanting to break it and it would just be incredible to say that I have a world record,” Frank said.

There may not be a better time or place for the high school cheerleader to try and break a world record other than during halftime of the football game in front of a supportive homecoming crowd.

“We decided to do this at homecoming because almost the entire town will be there,” Howard said. “We’re hoping to get support from the student section and hoping the rest of the crowd will come into play. I think it is the perfect time to do something different.”

The record-breaking attempt will take place right after the homecoming court is announced at halftime. When that moment comes, Frank will stand in the back of the end zone hoping to make history.

“I’ve worked on these pretty much my entire life. It’s going to be a really cool experience for me and I’m really hoping I can break this record,” Frank said.

Jonny Zawacki can be reached via email at jzawacki@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5690.