A longtime Alabama football fan and a baton twirler for even longer, Kristin Nelson seemed destined to be a Crimsonette.

There was the little obstacle of trying out for making the selective group, a feat Nelson accomplished on May 2.

Nelson began going to Alabama games with her aunt and uncle, Martha and Keith Jackson, about 10 years ago and was intrigued by the majorettes.

“They were my favorite part,” Nelson said. “They still are. Last year, that’s all we could talk about, maybe that will be me down there next year.”

Instead of watching games with Nelson, her aunt and uncle will now be watching her on the field.

Nelson began taking baton under local instructor Karen Davis Mitchell when Nelson was in kindergarten. Her career later included four years, three of which were as captain, as a Chilton County High majorette.

Crimsonette tryouts included a solo routine that was choreographed by Whitney Davis Whitfield, Mitchell’s daughter. Both Mitchell and Whitfield are former Crimsonettes.

Nelson was one of 24 girls chosen as a Crimsonette out of 40 that tried out.

“I am so grateful for God blessing me with this opportunity,” Nelson said. “It is definitely a dream come true.”

Nelson began working on her routine in October 2008 despite her participation in CCHS’s “Blast from the Past” and the school softball team.

Nelson is the daughter of Kevin and Amy Nelson, the sister of Justin Nelson, and the granddaughter of Wayne and Jean Nelson and Robert and Minnie Childress.