St. John's athlete makes Canadian cheerleading team

A St. John's man has something to cheer about.

Mike Ryan was recently chosen to be part of a team that will represent Canada at the World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Fla. later this month.

Ryan and his team, the Rock Electrics, were training for the championships when he was spotted by the coach of Team Canada. He had tried out for the team earlier this year, but was not successful. 

That changed just two weeks ago.

"It's wild ... we had our training camp a couple of weekends ago in Toronto, and it was so good to be able to work with so many experienced athletes," said Ryan. "I learned so much in just three days. I'm doing things now that I never thought possible."

"One of the coaches from Team Canada saw me and said, 'Wow you can actually really move, I'm actually pretty impressed. We want to take you on as part of the team.' Pretty much the best moment of my life at that point," said Ryan.

Ryan said he had just three days to learn the moves required to go up against the world's best. 

"It's pretty much 12 hours a day, and we made the routine on the first day ... started perfecting all the stunts on the second day, and ran it full out on the third day," Ryan said. "I've never seen a routine come together that quick. But, with the best athletes in Canada it can easily be done."

Ryan said being able to represent his country is a dream come true.

"It's a goal for everyone at some point to be able to compete with Team Canada with whatever sport they're on, and luckily for me, this is my time."