Collegiate Twirler Spotlight - University of Houston Feature Twirlers

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Can you believe there are only a couple more regular season college games left? We know all our #TeamTexas collegiate twirlers are doing everything they can to get the most out of their football season during these final weeks, especially this twirling duo! We loved following their Game Day experience on the Instastory Takeover last weekend, and we hope you enjoy learning more about them in today’s interview!

Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

Our next Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is on the University of Houston Feature Twirlers!

The University of Houston, located in Houston, Texas, is the home of the Cougars. Rocking the Scarlet Red and White, and cheered on by their mascots, Shasta & Sasha, the Coogs know how to bring the spirit to game day, which includes their two wonderful twirlers. The 2026-27 University of Houston Feature Twirlers are Paige Carruthers and Keira George!

Led by UH Twirling Coach, Kayli Mickey-McIntosh, the UH twirlers get some amazing opportunities! “A cool fact about our position is that everything needed in order to perform is paid for (costumes, batons, tights, shoes, etc). We also get to ride a giant helmet for every touchdown!” Wow! This level of support is what Paige the UH! “I chose UH because I saw a post on Instagram about all the things the twirlers do and what they receive as feature twirlers.” 

We wanted to know what they had to do to earn these positions, and they told us about their audition process. “It starts with a video submission followed by an invite-only, in person audition consisting of solo performance, performing the fight song with the current twirlers, and live interview view with judges.”

In addition to twirling at football games, the twirlers are also a big part of the Game Day experience for Basketball! This was a big factor for Kiera. “I was drawn to UH because of the success of the basketball program!” Paige felt the same, and says that basketball is one of her favorite things about attending UH. “The atmosphere created in the Fertitta Center is amazing, and our players are coached by incredible staff.”

Between Football and Basketball game days, these twirlers have a ton of school spirit, which is easy when you love your school and the people in it. According to Kiera, “My favorite thing about my school has to be the student diversity. I have been introduced to so many new cultures and people groups since attending UH.” This opportunity to meet new people and have new experiences is what brought Florida girl Paige to Texas. “I have lived in the same area for my entire life up to high school, so going to a new place to learn has been a great experience.”

With all of this spirit, they have to have great traditions, and both twirlers agree that they have some of the best! Kiera told us that her favorite tradition at UH is getting hype to Womp Womp, and Paige loves performing pregame. “It gets the crowd ready for the game and it hypes up the band to cheer on the team.” 

Even the band gets in on cheers! Paige has fun with the other band members showing their UH love. “If someone in the band asks “(your name), do you love the Cougars?” you have to yell “I love the Cougars” as loud as possible, because obviously we love the COOGS!” For Kiera, the best traditions within the band program are the songs the low brass plays after rehearsal and games. “We either get to dance or scream at the top of our lungs!”

Finally, we wanted to know what they are most looking forward to this season. Keira told us it is their upcoming show. “I am most looking forward to performing our entire Bruno Mars Show! We are doing part of it during the homecoming game.” Paige enjoys the theme days, but especially the Black Out game. “The field gets painted and the band, spirit, and football team wears all black which looks really cool under the stadium lights!”

Now that we have learned about twirling at UH, let’s learn more about the twirlers!

Paige Carruthers
Paige is a third year Math Education Major from Oviedo, Florida. She has been twirling for 14 years. The competition award that she is the proudest of earning was the 2025 Joel Ferrell Award at the AAU Junior Olympics. Her favorite twirling tricks include low flips and walkovers, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Savannah Miller. After college she hopes to teach math and assist in choreographing for twirling.

 
Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Red
Favorite Movie – The Pirates of the Caribbean series
Must have Game Day Drink - Powerade

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Your mistakes are what makes your brain learn.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Do crafting, scrapbooking, or crocheting.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I am starting to learn how to sew, so I can hopefully make twirling costumes.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Don’t get mad about how many times you drop. How many times did you toss in the whole routine? One drop out of countless tosses now seems irrelevant to get mad over.”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Just have fun. College is supposed to be an exploration of what you want to become, and twirling gives you an outlet to have fun and be included in campus life.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“I always wear the same hair clips to practice to keep my hair out of my face. On Halloween, my coaches back home dressed up as all of us and for me they wore the same hair clips I had.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“I will miss the atmosphere that the band creates when the football season ends. We twirl on the sidelines right in front of them, so when they play during the game, it makes us excited to rile up the student section that’s next to them.”

Keira George                                
Keira is a second year Integrated Studies major from Tatum, Texas. She has been twirling for 15 years, and is a member of the Mickey’s Majorettes where she is coached by Patti Mickey and Kayli Mickey-McIntosh. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was the 2025 NBTA Texas State Innovation Award. Her favorite twirling tricks include anything with 3 batons, walkovers, and fun receptions, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her coaches Patti and Kayli. After college, she hopes to enter a career centered on people, health/wellbeing, and the body/brain.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Rainbow
Favorite Podcast – Saved Not Soft hosted by Emmy Moore-Brookins.
Must have Game Day Snack – Any fruit!

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Read, journal, and eat ice cream.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I recently started practicing snare drum for the first time since graduating high school!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Perseverance.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Coach Kayli always reminds her girls to trust their training. When it’s time to perform, be confident! You can do this!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“A feature twirler isn’t a perfect twirler! Do your best, have fun, and put on a show!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“My funniest memory as a baton twirler is any of the many times I’ve fallen trying some new body work.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“Even though we still have basketball games, I will miss the rehearsals we have with the band during football season!”


We want to thank Paige and Keira for sharing their Game Day with them, and we wish them and the Cougars a great rest of their football season, and an amazing basketball season! Whose House? Coogs House!

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. We are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it.

Friday Night Lights Feature - Permian High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Wow! Can you believe we have already completed the last weekend of regular season high school football? The State Marching Competition is already done, and we are in the final weeks of High School Football! We know this group of Twirlers have been having a blast this season, and are excited to keep their Mojo going as they head into Playoffs! 

Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

Our next Friday Night Lights Feature is the Permian High School Mojo Majorettes!

Permian High School, located in Odessa, Texas, is the home of the Panthers, or as they are better known, MOJO! You may recognize this school name, as it is the school that the famous book, movie, and TV Show “Friday Night Lights” is about! Permian is also known throughout the Texas twirling community for the wonderful Mojo Majorettes! This year the 2026-27 Mojo Majorettes Varsity line includes Leigha Hagen, Vianni Bentley, Eiress Dangerfield, Loveah Duke, Natessa Dodson, and Genesis Caballero!

Led by 2026 TEX-AN Award winning coaches, Pam Brewer and Naticia Dodson, this mother/daughter coaching pair continues to share the legacy of baton twirling in west Texas through the Mojo Majorettes. “We lead the band out on the field for pregame, and perform halftime when not performing the band competition show.” This team is also always looking their best when representing the black and white. “We have over 20 team uniforms!”

We wanted to know how these twirlers earned their spot on the Varsity line, and they told us about their audition process. “We have judges come in to score the many parts to our tryout and choose Varsity and JV teams. We perform a solo showcasing our personal skills and showmanship with 1, 2, and optional 3 baton, a traditional band style march while twirling across the gym, skills section performed in small groups, and a group routine taught by Permian Majorette coaches the week of auditions. We also are required to turn in teacher evaluations.”

Between an undefeated football team and a marching band that has regular showing at the UIL 6A State Marching Contest, there is a lot to be proud of at PHS. “The best thing about our school is the school spirit and culture around our Mojo Pride. There is a long standing history of success and titles within many programs. including the majorettes.”

With so much school pride, we had to ask what the best traditions are, and they have so many great ones! “When we sing our School Alma Mater at every pep rally and end of game, our bonfire where both JV and Varsity perform (Varsity with Fire batons!), when the band, twirlers, dancers, cheerleaders, dance collective, and football team march the halls for playoffs, and of course, chanting MOJO!”

While they don’t twirl in the marching competition show, they all have a role within the band in addition to their twirling. This keeps them well connected to the program, and they love being involved. “With the band we love marching around the track before every home pregame, performing Hawaii 5-0 at playoff pep rally and games, and having middle school night where all east side middle school bands get to perform and the middle school twirlers twirl halftime with Permian.”

Finally, we wanted to know what they most enjoyed this year, and what they are most looking forward to this year as their marching season starts to wrap up. “As a team we get most excited for our summer clinic with guest clinicians, NBTA competitions, having our band feature on the field, and performing at football games and pep rallies.”

Now that we have learned about twirling at PHS, let’s learn more about the twirlers!

Leigha Hagen, Senior
Leigha is a novice level twirler that has been twirling for five years. She is a Member of Odessa Twirl Elite where she is coached by Pam Brewer & Naticia Dodson. The twirling position she is the proudest of earning was being named a Varsity Permian Majorette. Her favorite twirling trick is a 2 turn, and in baton twirling, he has been most inspired by her coach, Pam Brewer, and former University of Texas Feature Twirler, Aidyn Mentry. After High School, she hopes to attend Odessa College & work for IPSM. 

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite TV Show: Scream
Must Have Game Day Snack and/or Drink: Dr. Pepper & Takis

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Watch scary movies.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I am very shy.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Never give up, keep going!”

The Most Memorable advice from her coach…
“Believe in yourself!”

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“Smile!”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“Being on the field in front of the crowd and Pep Rallies.”
 

Vianni Bentley, Sophomore
Vianni is a novice level twirler that has been twirling for 8 years. She is a member of Odessa Twirl Elite where she is coached by Naticia Dodson & Pam Brewer. The competition placements she is the proudest of was placing Top 10 in three categories at AYOP 2026 Nationals! (4th in Novice  15 yo Solo, 9th in Novice 15 yo X-Strut, and 4th in Novice 31+ Duet with her sister). Her favorite twirling trick is a 3 turn, and in Baton Twirling, she has been most inspired by Texas Tech Feature Twirler, Anna Lilie. After High School, she hopes to attend St. Mary’s University of San Antonio to become a pediatrician.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite TV Show & Movie: Gilmore Girls and the Twilight Series 
Must Have Game Day Snack and/or Drink: Goldfish/ Gatorade

Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“All Dreams are within reach; all you have to do is keep moving towards them.” -Viola Davis

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Hang out with family, color, travel, & sleep.”

Something people might not know about her
“I collect the mini brand series.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Determination and Perseverance.”
 
The Most Memorable advice from her coach…
“Small steps lead to big results! Do it with a purpose and always smile!”

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“Always smile, never give up, and always twirl like you're performing.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“After competition we went as a team to eat ice cream and Natessa spilt her ice cream so she sat in everyone’s lap to eat theirs.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“Performing under the Friday Night Lights.”

 

Eiress Dangerfield, Sophomore
Eiress is a novice level twirler that has been twirling for 6 years. She is a member of Odessa Twirl Elite where she is coached by Naticia Dodson & Pam Brewer. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was when she was named Jr. Miss Juneteenth of Odessa in 2024. Her favorite twirling trick is a 3 spin and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by former University of Texas Feature Twirler, Aidyn Mentry. After High School, she hopes to go to college to become a speech pathologist.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite TV Show: The Rookie
Must Have Game Day Snack and/or Drink: 7 Brew & chips

Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“If you're not it, you are in the way!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Hang out with friends.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I run & own my own baking business, The Treat Boutique.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Discipline, that hard work pays off, and time management.” 

The Most Memorable advice from her coach…
“Even if you mess up on the performance, don't show it on your face.”

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“Enjoy every moment, trust your team, and don’t let fear stop you from trying something.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“When walking to pregame, I tripped and fell and everyone on the team saw.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“I will miss the pep rallies and the Friday Night Lights.”
 

Loveah Duke, Sophomore
Loveah is a novice level twirler that has been twirling for 2 years. She is a member of Odessa Twirl Elite where she is coached by Naticia Dodson & Pam Brewer. The competition placement she is the proudest of earning was when she earned 2nd place in the NBTA Region Novice Trio with the Preteen OTE Trio. Her favorite twirling trick is a death bow, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her NaNa. After High School, she hopes to become a fashion designer.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Book or Movie: Twilight
Must Have Game Day Snack and/or Drink: Redbull

Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“Follow your heart but listen to your mind.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Draw, read, and play my Oboe or Flute.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I’m scared of heights.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“To keep my feet steady.”

The Most Memorable advice from her coach…
“Calm Down and Breathe!”

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“‘I can’t’ is a mindset, say ‘I can’ and you will succeed.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Playing the animal game of comp.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“Getting to take naps on the bus.”

Natessa Dodson, Freshman
Natessa is a Beginner/Intermediate level twirler that has been twirling for 10 years. She is a member of Odessa Twirl Elite where she is coached by Naticia Dodson & Pam Brewer. The competition placement she is the proudest of was earning 2nd place in the Junior Beginner X-Strut at NBTA State and 8th place in the 13-year-old X-Strut at AYOP Nationals in 2026. Her favorite twirling tricks are Toss Double Illusion and 3 Baton vertical juggles into horizontal boxes, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by former Baylor University Golden Girl, Adaline Bebo. After High School, she hopes to be a feature twirler in college, attend Texas Tech, and study to become a pediatrician. She also aspires to be the first ever Dallas Cowboys Majorette!

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color: Royal Blue
Favorite TV Show, Movie, Book, and/or Podcast: One Day at a Time, The Kevin Langue Show 
Must Have Game Day Snack and/or Drink: Berry Blast Low Sugar Gatorade, Xtra Cheddar Blast Goldfish 

Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
Isaiah 30:18 “God’s plan is worth the wait” & Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Read, sleep, support my brother at his football games, and play my clarinet.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I’m a 3rd generation Mojo Majorette.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Patience because not everything comes as easily as others, some things take determination and focus.”

The Most Memorable advice from her coach…
“As an athlete you must fuel and stretch your body correctly to be a successful and responsible elite athlete.”

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“Practice with a purpose and take care of your body because with enough effort any goal can be reached.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“When my jazz shoe flew off during my first leg of x-strut and it went under the judges table so I had to perform the rest of my x-strut with one shoe on.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“During Pregame with the majorettes lead the band on the field and the school song circle at the end of pep rallies.”
 

Genesis Caballero, Freshman
Genesis is a novice level twirler that has been twirling for 2.5 years. She is a member of Odessa Twirl Elite where she is coached by Naticia Dodson & Pam Brewer. The competition placement she is the proudest of earning was when the Permian Majorettes received a Division 1 on their ensemble at UIL in 2026. Her favorite twirling trick is a 2 turn, and in baton twirling she has been most inspired by her coaches, Texas Tech Feature Twirler - Anna Lilie, and Titans Majorette - Chloe Holladay. After High School, she hopes to become a featured NFL Baton twirler.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color: Pink or Red
Favorite Movie: Harry Potter Movies 3 and 6
Must Have Game Day Snack and/or Drink: Fruit Snacks and Blue Gatorade

Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“You don’t have to be strong every day, just don’t give up on yourself.”

When she is not twirling she loves to…
“Build legos, bedazzle, and watch movies.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I am the oldest of 11 siblings.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“The ability to talk to people while being nervous.”

The Most Memorable advice from her coach…
“Everything you do should be with a purpose.”

Advice to future high school twirlers…
“Enjoy every moment even if you don’t want to be there because they could turn into the best memories.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“During NBTA State my roommate/teammate Eiress turned on the shower and forgot to put the curtain in and flooded the bathroom floor.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“Being on the sidelines with my team and talking about anything and everything.”


We want to thank the Mojo Majorettes for sharing their Game Day with us, and we hope they had the best time this week at the UIL 6A State Marching Contest. We can’t wait to see more from this fun group, and we wish them a great rest of the season as they follow their undefeated football team through the playoffs. Go Mojo!

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. We are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it. 

Friday Night Lights Feature - Tomball High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

October has come and gone, and November is here! Marching contests are in their final weeks, and the regular season of football comes to a close in just a few days! In the mean time, we still have a few more opportunities left to see these twirlers doing what they do best, so what better way to wrap up this weekend than with a feature about this awesome twirler!

Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

Our next Friday Night Lights Feature is the Tomball High School Feature Twirler!

Tomball High School, located in Tomball, Texas, is the home of the Cougars and The Pride of Texas! “Tomball ISD Stadium is one of the largest high school stadiums in the Houston area. Tomball High School also has a lot of history. It was the first high school built in our district back in 1908, yes 1908 with only 15 students!” Tomball High School is also the home of this Senior Feature Twirler, Madi Mauz!

Twirling at Tomball High has been a special experience for Madi. As she tells us, “I’m the 1st Feature Twirler in over 25 years. The last one was our current Mayor of Tomball, Mayor Lori Quinn!” 

We asked her what she had to do to pave the way to be the Tomball Twirler. “I’ve been twirling in Tomball ISD for 6 years. Before I started junior high, my mom and I connected with the Fine Arts Director, who helped us figure out the next steps, including what class I should take and who could sponsor me. I went through full tryouts in junior high and twirled with the school for two years, so my transition into high school was a little easier. Before high school, I met with the Band Director and twirled for him. Since he had twirlers in his previous band program, he was excited about bringing a twirler into ours!” 

As a proud Cougar, we wanted to know about Madi’s favorite traditions. “One of my favorite traditions happens at the end of every football game. The football team, cheerleaders, dance team, and everyone else on the field runs over to the band in the bleachers. We all put our arms around each other, sway side to side, and sing the alma mater together while the band plays. I love it because no matter what happens during the game, we end the night together as one big Tomball family.”

At THS, Madi is part of the Colorguard, which is directed by Connor Adams, and performs with the TCP Band. “Our band was originally called the Big Red Band before becoming the TCP Band, which stands for the Tomball Cougar Pride!” Being a part of the TCP family has given Madi such a supportive environment for her twirling, and she loves to celebrate with them on Game Days. “A new tradition we started this year that I love happens when we win! Before we play the school song, the band plays “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled. It makes celebrating a win even more fun and gets everyone excited!”

Finally, we wanted to know what she was most looking forward to this season, and of course it was the Game Day she got to share with us! “I was most looking forward to our Patriotic Game that we had last weekend, where we got to celebrate and honor our military veterans. It’s always such a special night with fireworks and a helicopter flyover, which makes the whole experience even more exciting. I love getting to be part of a night that brings our school and community together while honoring the men and women who have served our country.”

Now that we have learned about twirling at THS, let’s learn more about Madi!

Madi Mauz, Senior                             
Madi is an Intermediate level twirler that has been twirling for 14 years. She is a member of Texas Touch of Class where she is coached by Sheila Payne Rigelsky. Her favorite twirling trick is any type of roll. “I LOVE ROLLS!” In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by forever Miss Texas, Caroline Carothers Reed. After High School, she is committed to attend Stephen F. Austin State University, where she plans to major in Human Sciences with a minor in Psychology. “My goal is to become a Child Life Specialist. I hope to work in a hospital someday, helping kids feel supported during their medical journey.”









Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite Movie – Tangled or anything Disney!
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – “Venti Strawberry Acai Refresher with no strawberries and light ice. The post halftime snack is always a bag of Cheeto and an only Yellow Gatorade!”    

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” – Dolly Parton.  

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Craft, bake and spend time with her Goldendoodle, Ruthie Ann.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I was recently diagnosed with MOGAD, a very rare neurological disease. I’m now a National Youth Advocate and Co-Chair with The MOGAD Connection Center. I’ve been able to use my experience, advocate and help other kids like me fighting this disease.”

 The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Public speaking.”

Advice to future high school twirlers… 
“The rehearsals are long, the Texas heat is HOT, and some days are exhausting, but it goes by so fast! Have fun, make memories, and enjoy every moment. It’s worth it!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“At Nationals, the heel of my shoe broke off right in the middle of American Girl modeling! I had to keep going, and halfway through my routine I was walking and spinning around with one heel on and one heel off. Definitely a moment I’ll never forget!”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“My band and Color Guard family!”

We want to thank Madi for sharing her Game Day with us, and we wish her an absolutely amazing reminder of her Senior Season! Go Cougars!

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. We are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it. 

Collegiate Twirler Spotlight - Texas Christian University Feature Twirlers

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

The final week of October means we are almost into competition time, and football season is starting to wrap up. It also means our senior twirlers are beginning to have the “lasts” of their final football seasons in their current positions. We hope all of them are making amazing memories and enjoying every moment! 

]Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

Our next Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is on the Texas Christian University Feature Twirlers!

Texas Christian University, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is the home of the Horned Frogs, and an absolutely stunning campus! “We have a flower endowment so the campus is always covered in beautiful flowers.” It is also the home of a great tradition of beautiful twirlers sporting the purple and white! The 2026-2027 Texas Christian University Feature Twirlers are Haylee Chiariello, Emma Mathe, and Bridgette McCollum!

We wanted to know how these Horned Frogs earned their spot on the field, and Bridgette told us about their auditions. “The audition consists of a video round and an in person audition. During the in person audition, you perform three routines (fight song, God Bless Texas, and Deep in the Heart of Texas), followed by a panel interview.” Haylee added that “auditions are held every year. More details will be announced in the spring!”

Making a decision about which school to attend is always a tough one, but not for these twirlers! As Haylee tells us, “The campus is so beautiful, and I was offered incredible academic scholarships. When I visited, I knew I would have a unique perspective and role on campus.” Bridgette agreed! “I was awarded a very generous scholarship and I fell in love with how beautiful the campus was and knew it was where I was meant to be.” While Emma loves the beauty of the campus, she also appreciates the atmosphere and the people. “I love the big city yet small town feel! The people who go to TCU are truly some of the nicest people, and of course, the campus is gorgeous.”

While Emma is a Texas girl, both Haylee and Bridgette are from Oklahoma. We wanted to know what brought them across state lines down to Texas. Bridgette was looking for something new. “I chose to go out of state because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience something new.” Haylee also wanted an adventure,but was still able to stay close to family. “My brother and I attend TCU together! It makes being out of state really feel like home.”

Even though we know the beautiful campus is a huge draw, we wanted to know what their favorite thing about attending TCU is, and they all agree it is the relationships they have made. “The people are my favorite!” says Haylee. “I love all my friends on campus!” Emma agrees and says the class sizes make it so much easier to meet people. “My favorite thing about TCU is the class sizes. They are so small so you become really close with people in your major.” It doesn’t just stop with the students though. As Bridgette tells us, “I love my professors and my classes. The professors really care about you and want you to succeed. My classes are always really fun and interesting.”

Of course, we had to ask what their favorite tradition was, and it was unanimous agreement that it is the Riff Ram Bah Zoo chant! Emma tells us that “We do the chant after every single touchdown!” Bridgette also added that the holidays at TCU are wonderful as well. “The Christmas tree lighting is also super fun and a really great tradition.”

Finally, we wanted to know what they were all looking forward to the most this season! Emma told us she is the most excited for this weekend. “’I can’t wait for our Halloween game!” Bridgette enjoyed last weekend’s festivities. “I love our Homecoming Parade!” As for Haylee, she is looking forward to everything! “Every game is so special – I am soaking up every moment!”

Now that we have learned about twirling at TCU, let’s learn more about the twirlers!

Haylee Chiariello, Captain
Hailey is a Graduate student from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is a member of Vick’s Chicks where she is coached by Vicki Ray. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was being named Miss Sugar Land in Miss Texas and Top Ten and Prelim Winner in Miss Oklahoma. Her favorite twirling tricks are tumbling and rolls on the ground, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Sarah Harris Quillen, Megan McGeary Porter, Aly Akers Meadors, and Katie Schleis. “They are all incredibly graceful dancers and athletic twirlers!” 

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Purple!
Favorite Movies – Legally Blonde and The Devil Wears Prada
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – Diet Dr. Pepper is a must-have!

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls and I believe in miracles." - Audrey Hepburn

Are there any fun facts about your twirling position?
“I’m the very first Captain for the TCU Twirlers.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Go to the gym. Also, I spend time doing my devotionals and reading my Bible. My faith is everything to me: I love Jesus and I am so grateful for His blessings!”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I was the #1 ranked graduate for the class of 2025 at TCU!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Leadership. Leading with poise, grace, and positivity is essential to my role as a twirler and a leader on campus.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Presentation skills, smile and walk with poise!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers…
“Study ballet for poise!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“At the Fiesta Bowl, a sports reporter was taking my picture and accidentally kicked my baton. It rolled down into a grate and fell down a hole. That baton disappeared forever somewhere way below the State Farm Stadium.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“The people! The Horned Frog Band is truly a family to me and I will miss seeing all my sweet friends!”

Emma Mathe                                 
Emma is a sophomore Kinesiology, Pre-OT major and Child Development minor from The Woodlands, Texas. She has been twirling for 15 years and is a member of Texas Twirlers where she is coached by Sue Young. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was first place in her “senior show twirl”. “I completely choreographed it by myself and it was really special to be able to perform." Her favorite twirling tricks are down the field leaps and horizontal tricks, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Emma Carr, Nicole Jensen, and Adaline Bebo. After college, she hopes to go into occupational therapy grad school and work as a pediatric OT.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Green (& purple ofc) 
Favorite TV Show & Movie – The Summer I Turned Pretty and 10 things I hate About You
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – Bucees rainbow sour strips & blue Gatorade  

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
Proverbs 3:5-6

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Hangout with friends, walk around campus, play pickleball, and shop.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I’m training for a marathon!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“CONFIDENCE!!! Twirling has especially helped me be able to be confident in front of crowds.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“If you drop, smile bigger!” 

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Never stop trying!!!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Our tik toks we made during band camp.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“I will miss the crazy long game days! They are long but so fun and I love seeing my family!”

Bridgette McCollum      
Bridgette is a sophomore from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, majoring in Political Science and Journalism with a Dual Degree, and minoring in Creative Writing. She has been twirling for 12 years, and is coached by Adaline Bebo Øygarden and Lynn Dell Harrell. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was when she was named the 2024 Intermediate Southwest Regional Pageant Winner. Her favorite twirling tricks are Slap Catches, Toss Aerials, and Toss leap walkovers, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by Laney Puhalla and Adi Bebo Øygarden. After college, she hopes to attend law school.

Fun Facts!
Favorite Color – Blue
Favorite Book – Catch-22 by Joseph Heller 
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – Gatorade 

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
Matthew 7:7-11

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Hang out with my friends or read.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I am captain of TCU Club Gymnastics! My favorite event is the beam and my floor music is Beethoven.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…   
“You cannot control every opportunity, every decision, or every outcome. But you can control how hard you work, how you treat others, and whether you keep going.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“What is supposed to happen is going to happen” - Adaline Bebo Øygarden

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“The journey is not always linear but what God has planned for you will not pass you by. To the senior worried about not getting a position: Be open to the opportunities that come your way. The doors that close are even more important than the ones that open. Closed doors are God's protection. Trust Him and trust your gut. Always.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“Emma and I challenge each other during practice and we try new tricks that can be silly.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“I will miss the walk to and from practice with my friends.”

We want to thank Haylee, Emma, and Bridgette for sharing their Game Day with us, and we hope they have an amazing rest of their season repping the Horned Frogs. Rizz Ram Bah Zoo!

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. We are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it.

Friday Night Lights Feature - Ronald Reagan High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Happy last few days of October! How are we already here? The High School football regular season is winding down, and the competition season is less than a month away. Just a few more twirlers left to feature, including this wonderful duo!

Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

Our next Friday Night Lights Feature is the Ronald Reagan High School Feature Twirlers!

Ronald Reagan High School, located in the Stone Oak area of San Antonio, Texas, is the home of the Rattlers, and one of the Nation's best marching bands! “The Reagan Marching Band
placed 6th in the nation at the 2025 Bands of America Grand National Championships in
Indianapolis, competing against more than 130 bands from across the country!” Reagan is also home to this great pair of twirlers! The 2026-27 Ronald Reagan Feature Twirlers are Sierra Cameron and Ava Gourley!

A fun fact about these two is that they are not only teammates, are also the only twirlers for
Reagan since 2022, and started together their Freshman year! In order to earn their position, they had to earn a Division 1 Rating at UIL Twirling Region, as well as have a coach recommendation. Luckily, both being students of Michele Pangrac, they were both able to get great recommendations and now they have Michele to help them as their sponsor.

Getting to twirl alongside a friend means you always have someone to share experiences with, so we wanted to know what their favorite things are about going to school at Reagan. “There is lots of school spirit and a variety of classes to allow students to express themselves. Also, you have to love the Friday night lights!”

All of that school spirit makes for great memories. They told us that the best traditions at Reagan all have to do with supporting that school spirit. “Spirit week is the best and there is always a fun spectator theme for every football game.” Of course their mascot, Rowdy the Rattler, gets in on the school spirit, and even does a little twirling! “Sometimes we call Rowdy the 3rd twirler and give him a baton!”

Finally, we wanted to know what this duo was most looking forward to this season, and they said seeing their twirling friends! “We enjoy the games with schools that have baton twirlers like Madison and Johnson. We are friends with the other twirlers and swap gifts and take turns twirling in front of each other’s school together!” How fun!

Now that we have learned more about twirling at Reagan, let’s learn more about the twirlers!

Ava Gourley, Junior
Ava is an advanced level twirler that has been twirling for 8 years. She is a member of the Twirling Sweet Sensations, where she is coached by Michele Pangrac, who is also her school sponsor. The competition titles she is proudest of winning were the 2026 Southwest Regional Junior Advanced X Strut Champion and Junior Intermediate Pageant Winner. She also placed 8th in the 2026 National Junior Intermediate Pageant at AYOP. Her favorite twirling trick is her double illusion, and in baton twirling, she is most inspired by watching all her fellow twirling friends compete and train alongside her. “Their hard work and great sportsmanship encourage me!” After high school she hopes to study medicine and become a Feature Twirler at a University in the State of Texas (she hasn’t decided which one yet).

Favorites!
Favorite Color - Black
Favorite TV Show - The Office
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink - Coconut Water 

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Whether you say you can or you can’t ….. you’re always right!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Dance and be with friends.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I want to deliver babies in the Philippines for a career.”

The best life skill she has gained from twirling…
“Be humble when you win and gracious when you don’t win.”

The most memorable advice from her coach…

“You’ve done the work , now go out there and have a great time.”

Advice to future high school twirlers… 

“Enjoy this time out there on the track and football field with your friends. It goes by really quickly.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 

“Hanging out with Sierra and Joslyn after contest and coming up with new dance moves.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?

“Twirling in front of the Reagan crowd with my longtime friend Sierra.”

Sierra Cameron, Junior
Sierra is a beginner level twirler that has been twirling for 7 years. She is a member of the Twirling Sweet Sensations where she is coached by Michele Pangrac. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was when she earned First Place in the Beginner Senior X-Strut at State in 2026. Her favorite twirling trick is a Toss Illusion, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her mom’s encouragement. “She was also a baton twirler!” After High School, she hopes to go to college and study advertising.

Favorites!
Favorite Color – Teal
Favorite Movie and TV Show – Clue & America’s Funniest Home Video
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – Dr. Pepper and Peanut M&Ms

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“You only live once so make it count.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Do Jigsaw Puzzles.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I also play the Sousaphone for marching band and have played the tuba since 6th grade.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…

“Never give up and don’t compare yourself to others!”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“You can’t control if you win the trophy, you can only control how you perform by doing your best.”

Advice to future high school twirlers… 
“People aren’t watching your drops and catches, they are watching your smile.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“When her band director started doing the twirl routine in the Battle of Flowers parade.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“Trying new tricks and performing next to Ava.”


We want to thank Ava and Sierra for sharing their Game Day with us. We know they will have an amazing rest of the season as they take on the remainder of marching band season alongside the Reagan Back. Strike Em Rattlers!

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. We are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it.

Collegiate Twirler Spotlight - Texas Tech Twirlers

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

The weather is finally beginning to change (sometimes!), and it is starting to almost feel like Fall here in Texas! We love this part of the season, and we are once again excited to feature another set of our wonderful Texas Twirlers. We really enjoyed following these twirlers during their Instastory Takeover this past weekend, and we are happy to share more about these amazing representatives of our sport.

Each season this blog likes to get to know many of our awesome Texas twirlers a little better by learning about their experiences. We will be meeting many High School twirlers throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights. We will also be having many of our High School and Collegiate twirlers take over our Social Media Story for their Game Days! Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

Our next Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is on the Texas Tech University Twirlers!

Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas, is the home of the Red Raiders, and the currently #8 ranked College Football Team in the country! Also being the home of the Masked Rider, known as the #1 best Live College Mascot and #4 Best Overall Mascot, there is a lot of pride and tradition that comes out of Raider Country. This legacy also includes a history of amazing baton twirling with the Texas Tech University Twirlers! The 2026-2027 Texas Tech Twirlers include Feature Twirler - Anna Lilie, Head Twirler - Lauren Feltner, Addison Lee, Sommer Wermes, Kaelyn Wood, Kiana Schraufnagel, and Lauren Fernihough!

We wanted to know how they earned these positions, and social media manager, Addison Lee, told us about the audition process. “First, you submit an application with a resume and an essay on why you want to twirl at Texas Tech. Then we have our in-person audition. At the audition, you will learn a routine that you will do in groups as well as your prepared individual routine. Lastly, there is an interview with a panel of judges.”

Once they earn their spot at a Tech Twirler, led by Coach Bethany Tolley, they become a mainstay within the TTU Community. Between game days, pep rallies, and community performances, they are a big part of the Raider Spirit and the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. Their practices are even an actual university course that they participate in alongside the band members. 

There are many reasons someone chooses to attend a school, and each of these twirlers had their own, but the amazing twirling program was definitely a common thread. Feature Twirler Anna Lilie told us, “I loved the environment and the support around the twirling program”, and Sommer said “I wanted a school with an established twirling line and TTU had that!” Head Twirler Lauren Feltner loved the team environment. “I wanted to be far from home and be able to twirl with a team as that is how I grew up.” 

Family ties were also a contributing factor. For Addison Lee she had “multiple members of my family attended Tech, so I grew up knowing I would attend Tech.” Being a Lubbock native, Tech was an easy choice for Lauren Fernihough. “I grew up in Lubbock and Texas Tech has played a big part in my family.” Of course the academics were quite the draw. As Kaelyn Wood told us, "Originally, I was majoring in architecture, and Tech was one of the highest ranked schools to get a job right out of college for architecture.” Kiki Schraufnagel said scholarships and the weather were a bonus for her. “The scholarships were a huge factor in my decision, and I’ve always dreamed of attending college somewhere warm and sunny in the South!” 

While Anna, Addison, and Lauren Fernihough are all Texas girls, the rest of the Tech Line are all from out of State! Kaelyn, being from Oklahoma, said “I chose to go out of state for personal growth. I’m far enough from home to not go back every weekend, but close enough to go back if necessary.” Sommer and Kiki are both from Wisconsin, and the change of environment and southern hospitality were key. As Kiki told us, “Growing up in Wisconsin, I wanted to experience warmer weather while challenging myself to become more independent. Moving away gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I could be responsible and prepare for life beyond college.” Sommer loved the friendliness. “While I was still a senior in high school, past twirlers here offered to talk with me and take me around. After hanging out with them for a day I fell in love with the school and the team! I also love that Tech is a four season campus so far in the south!” Finally, Lauren Feltner just wanted to get somewhere warm! “Truthfully, Nebraska gets cold and I hate the cold!”

With so much to love about attending Tech, we had to know what the best part of attending TTU was, and Addie, Lauren, and Lauren all agreed that the traditions and school spirit were all at the top! Anna agreed and said “I love all of the traditions that our school has with the wrapping of Will Rodger’s and Soap Suds and the Bell Circle with the saddle tramps to start pre-game!” In addition to the spirit, the people are what make it even more special. As Kaelyn tells us, “My favorite thing about Tech is the people you meet and the friendships you make!” and Kiki says “The beautiful campus architecture, the incredible student life, and the unmatched school spirit that brings everyone together!” 

These traditions are what make the Red Raider community together, even if they no longer are allowed. As Kiki tells us, “The tortilla toss at kickoff! Although it is currently not allowed, it remains one of the most memorable and talked-about Texas Tech traditions.” Kaelyn agrees that the tortilla toss was her favorite tradition, but says the school has plenty of other great ones. “I would have to say some of the best traditions at Tech would be the spirit squads, saddle tramps, and of course the Goin’ Band from Raiderland. It’s so magical every time we get to come together to set the pregame atmosphere!” Addie and Anna both agree that the saddle tramps wrapping the statue is one of their favorites, and both Lauren’s love when the Masked Rides comes out on the field during pregame. Additionally, Sommer enjoys the way the school celebrates the holidays. “My favorite school tradition is the carol of the lights! The campus always looks so pretty and reminds me of a gingerbread village when it is lit up.”

Another great part of being a Tech Twirler is being a part of the Goin’ Band! This fun group of musicians brings the noise on Game Day and always are filled with spirit. As Anna tells us, “I love after our stadium rehearsals and march back to the School of Music, the leadership team plays the matador song (school song), and after the band directors start a little chant that we end every rehearsal and game day with!” Addie also enjoys the post game Matador song, saying it brings the Game Day full circle and Lauren Feltner enjoys getting to watch the band do their Tech Step while going out for pregame. Don’t worry though! It isn’t always serious and sentimental with the Goin’ Band. Sommer says we cannot forget “how much attention Dr. Allen’s calves get”, while Kaelyn gets a laugh out of the fake itinerary.

Finally, we wanted to know what they are most looking forward to this season, and while the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally are a big hit (twirling FIRE always is!), and the Halloween Show is always a favorite, they all agree that the post season is what they are the most excited for. As Kiki tells us, “Hopefully we get to attend another Big 12 Championship game! Otherwise, I’m excited about the possibility of earning a bowl game invitation and getting to travel with the team to support the Red Raiders!” Addie adds in, maybe even a CFP appearance? Who knows! The Tech Football team is crushing it this season, and there is definitely travel in their future! 

Now that we have learned more about twirling at Tech, lets learn more about the twirlers!

Anna Lilie, Feature Twirler
Anna is a third year Kinesiology Major and General Business Minor from Liberty Hill, Texas. She is an advanced competitor that has been twirling for 13 years, and is a member of Twirl ATX where she is coached by Whitney Coons as well as Ashley Wood and Jassandra Sadler, with additional coaching from Bethany Tolley. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was 2026 College Miss Majorette Of The Southwest. Her favorite twirling tricks are toss walkovers and doubles, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by all the past Texas Tech Feature Twirlers. After college, she hopes to attend chiropractic school.

Favorites!
Favorite Color – pink
Favorite TV Show – “The Office”
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – bloom energy drink and gold fish

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Have fun and find the good in everything!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Hang out with friends and go to local events around Lubbock.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Perseverance and resilience in any situation.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“To just have fun, because at the end of the day that’s all that matters.”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Trust the process! Everything happens for a reason, even if it’s not what you wanted, it always works out in the end!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“I would have to say the 2026 Nationals where I started a mini mic series and did a video everyday and had the best time with my teammates running around filming them!”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“The environment and getting to meet fans after halftime and on the field after the game.”

Lauren Feltner, Head Twirler
Lauren is a third year Biology Pre-PA Major and Health Science Minor from Omaha, Nebraska. She is an advanced competitor that has been twirling for 11 years and is a member of the Sue’s Stepper-ettes, where she is coached by Jami Baustert. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was College Miss Majorette of Nebraska in 2025/2026. Her favorite twirling tricks are anything with 2 batons, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by “the passion my fellow teammates have for this sport.” After college, she hopes to attend PA school!

Favorites!
Favorite Color – Blue
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – Alani and M&Ms

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“The sun will always come up tomorrow.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Volunteer at local charities and animal shelters.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I had double jaw surgery and because of that I had to take almost a year off twirling.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Confidence.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Do what you can do and don’t compare yourself to others!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Take time to enjoy the audition process even if it is stressful!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Having to wear a green wig while competing at the World Championships in the Netherlands.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“Seeing my team everyday!”

Addison Lee
Addison is a third year Marketing Major from Goldthwaite, Texas. She is an advanced competitor that has been twirling for 11 years, and is a member of Twirl ATX, where she is coached by Ashley Wood as well as Whitney Coons. Her favorite twirling tricks are any type of rolls. After college, she hopes to find a job in either marketing or sales.

Favorites!
Favorite Color – green 
Favorite Book Series - “Throne of Glass” 
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink - Mini muffins

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Read!”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I play intramural softball.”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Interview skills.” 

Best advice from her coach is…
“Have confidence in your abilities!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Remember to have fun and live in the moment because time moves so fast!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“When we were performing at band extravaganza, my freshman year, my toss went into the band. When I picked it up they were doing a follow the leader and I was trapped inside the circle, so I had to run in between them. Come to find out this year I actually hit a band member with that toss.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?  
“Spending game days with all my teammates!”

Sommer Wermes    
Sommer is a third year Biochemistry Major and Biology and Spanish Minor, from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She has been twirling for 17 years and is a member of Julie’s Touch of Silver where she was coached by Julie Secker Anderson. Her favorite twirling tricks are anything with three batons, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her JTS teammates and “how hard they all worked!” After college, she hopes to get her doctorate in pharmacy!

Favorites
Favorite Color – PINK
Favorite Movie – “Flipped” 
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – mini muffins

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Craft, bake, and spend time with friends.” 

Something people might not know about her… 
“I know how to roll sushi!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“A strong work ethic and the ability to persist when things get difficult.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“To put in a ton of effort and work before any performance so when you are there you can enjoy it.”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Try talking to all the new people around you in the shows! It makes practice more fun!”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Getting hit with a tortilla my freshman year.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“Having a scheduled time to see all my teammates everyday.”

Kaelyn Wood 
Kaelyn is a third year Accounting Major and Architecture Minor from Piedmont, Oklahoma. She is an advanced level competitor that has been twirling for 15 years and is a member of Vick’s Chicks, where she is coached by Vicki Ray. The competition title she is the proudest of winning was College Miss Majorette of Oklahoma. Her favorite twirling tricks are anything 2-baton, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by so many people! “It’s hard to choose just one because each person has offered me a new perspective.” After college, she hopes to land a job in accounting.

Favorites!
Favorite Color – pink
Favorite TV Show, Movie, or Book – “I don’t really watch or read that much, but I do enjoy a good Disney movie or a romcom.”
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink - “Lots of water! And, I love when I get mini muffins or animal cookies from the band!”

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
“Hard work pays off!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Bake, play pickleball, and hangout!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…
“Learning how to work hard and stay disciplined even when things get hard.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Every elbow has a foot!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Everything works out the way it is supposed to! Trust the process, enjoy every moment, and don’t take the opportunity for granted.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“One of my funniest memories would have to be when I was trying to record my double illusion for my coach. I had gotten so close to catching it, so I set up my phone “just in case.” Instead of capturing a catch, I captured a plop to the ground after getting knocked out from the baton.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends?
“I will miss twirling everyday with my teammates!”

Kiana Schraufnagel
Kiana is a Junior/Senior Psychology Major and Health Professions Minor from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She is an advanced level competitor that has been twirling for 16 years and a proud member of Julie’s Touch of Silver, where she is coached by Whitney, Lacey, and Julie Seckar-Anderson. “They have helped shape my journey as a twirler and dancer!” The competition placement she is most proud of winning was a gold and silver medal at the World Championships in Liverpool for Parade and Twirling Corps. Individually, she is most proud of winning 1st Place in the United States Open X-Strut Overall, in the Age 15 division. Her favorite twirling tricks are walkover tricks, and one of her biggest inspirations in baton twirling is Katie Schleis. After college, she hopes to earn her master’s degree and become a mental health therapist.

Favorites!
Favorite Colors - Teal and turquoise
Favorite TV Show/Movie - “Gossip Girl” and “Clueless”
Must-Have Game Day Snack/Drink - BUBBL’R with Goldfish or Drizzilicious!

Favorite Quote/Life Motto…
“Never stop believing in yourself.”

When she is not twirling, I love to… 
“Volunteer, work out, spend time with friends, and make TikToks!”

Something people might not know about her…
“I’m a fourth-generation dancer!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Confidence in myself and my abilities. Twirling has taught me to believe in myself, trust my training, and step outside my comfort zone.”

The most memorable advice from her coach is… 
“Pressure is a good thing because it can challenge you, help you grow, and build you into a stronger person.”

Advice to future collegiate twirlers…
“Take a chance! You never know what opportunities might come your way or where they could lead you. Sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone can turn into one of the best decisions you ever make.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler…
“The countless times I’ve wiped out or gotten injured! Somehow, every year seems to end with a trip to the hospital during band camp or right before the first football game.”

Lauren Fernihough
Lauren is a first year Finance Major from Lubbock, Texas. She has been twirling for 8 years. Her favorite twirling trick is a high toss cartwheel, and in baton twirling, she has been most inspired by the TTU Twirlers. “I watched them growing up at games!” After college, she hopes to go into banking.”

Favorites!
Favorite Color – pink 
Favorite TV Show – “Friends” 
Must have Game Day Snack and/or Drink – Dr Pepper 

Favorite Quote or the Life Motto…
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Do crafts or hang out with friends.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I like to sing!”

The best life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“Perseverance.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“She would always tell me she believed in me.” 

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“No matter how hard it may get, keep pushing because it will be worth it in the end.”

Her funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“During our first team dinner it was just the team asking me questions the whole time.”

What will she miss the most when football/field season ends? 
“I will miss getting to see my team.” 

We want to thank the Tech Twirlers for sharing their Game Day with us, and we will be rooting the Twirlers and the Tech Football Team on an amazing rest of their season! Wreck Em!

We hope you have enjoyed this blog post. We are always looking for great new stories about Texas twirlers. Do you have an idea or some information we could use to help highlight our sport? Contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com and we would love to hear more about it.