Friday Night Lights Feature - Crawford High School

Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

We are back for week six of High School Football! This year may look a little different, but twirlers all over Texas are making it work, and we are so excited to be able to Feature many of them over the next couple of months. As those Friday Night Lights turn on in stadiums all over Texas, we hope to see many face masks and safety precautions being taken so that we can continue to enjoy the sights and sounds of football teams, marching bands, and our favorite, lots of talented baton twirlers. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @twirlingiscatchingtx or at facebook.com/twirlingiscatchingtx so you don't miss a thing!

This weekend’s Friday Night Lights Feature is the Crawford High School Feature Twirler! 

Crawford High School is located in Crawford, Texas, which is a suburb of Waco. Crawford is the home of the pirates, as well as today’s FNL Feature Twirler, Molly Green! Molly has been competing in NBTA for many years and is the current 2020 Intermediate Junior Southwest Regional Pageant Winner.

Coming off such a big win at Regionals, and then going straight into the whole quarantine situation the next week, we asked Molly how she got through maintaining her motivation. “I actually tore my hamstring at Regionals, so I spent much of the Spring and Summer in physical therapy and strengthening my hamstring. After having time to recover, I practiced in the driveway and did virtual lessons with my Coach. This strange time has taught me to still find joy and not stress about things beyond my control.”

As this is Molly’s third year as the CHS Feature Twirler, yet probably the most unusual year, we wanted to know how this season has been affected by COVID for the Crawford community. “We were able to start school in person, but only could practice marching outside. This year we are only performing at home games, and hopefully will get to perform for the playoff games by the time those come.”

Many would wonder how she knows playoff games are coming, and it is because the Crawford Pirates are an amazing football team, which is a tradition in and of itself at CHS. “Our football team usually does very well, and it is so fun to twirl for playoff games and at Cowboy Stadium for State!” 

Now that we have learned a little about Crawford, lets learn more about Molly!

Molly Green
Junior Feature Twirler
Molly is an advanced level competitor that has been twirling for 8 years. She is coached by Vicki Ray of Vick’s Chicks. The competition title she is the proudest of was winning the 2020 Junior Intermediate Southwest Regional Pageant. Her favorite field tricks are three baton and anything that can be caught blind. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by former Vanderbilt Feature Twirler, Haylee Castagna. “Her speed and style are amazing, and now she is my mentor and friend.” After High School she is undecided on what school she wants to attend, but she does hope to twirl and major in physical therapy. 

Fun Facts!

Favorite Color - Purple 
Favorite Movie – “I Still Believe”
Favorite Book – The Bible
Favorite Quote – Hebrews 13:2 

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Spend time with friends and family, play tennis, shop, and nap!” 

Something people might not know about her is…
“I have 4 big very protective brothers!”

Best advice from her coach…
“Stop hesitating like a scared pony coming out of a stall!" :)

Favorite moment as a baton twirler…
“It is a tie between winning my pageant at Regionals 2020 and performing at Cowboy stadium!”

Funniest moment as a baton twirler…
“I was warming up to go on the field and fell flat doing an illusion. Hopefully not too many saw it!” 

Through her years of baton twirling, Molly has learned many life lessons. She says the most important lesson was to focus on what it most important. “To be successful, you have to work hard, keep God first, and smile!” 

Speaking of smiling, that is her vest advice for any twirlers that one day hope to be a High School twirler as well. As Molly tells us, “Make sure to SMILE! Your attitude and showmanship always make your performance more fun and entertaining.”

We want to say thank you to Molly for sharing her time with us, and we hope Crawford finishes off their football season safe and strong this year. Go Pirates!

We hope you have enjoyed this edition of our FNL Feature. Have a favorite HS or Collegiate Twirler that you would like to see interviewed? Please contact us at texastwirlcontact@gmail.com with their name and email address so that we can reach out to them!