Hello Texas Twirl Fans!
The final week of October means we are almost into competition time, and football season is starting to wrap up. This group of twirlers has done an amazing job this fall and we love watching them. We especially enjoyed their Instastory Takeover this past weekend and are excited to learn more about this talented group.
This week’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight is the Texas Tech University Twirlers!
Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas, is the home of the Red Raiders, and a legacy of wonderful baton twirlers. Rocking the red and black, the Texas Tech Twirlers have had a history of some fantastic talent representing on the field for many, many years. Led by former Texas Tech Feature Twirler and Coach, Bethany Tolley, the 2021 Texas Tech Twirlers are made up of two Feature Twirlers and a Twirling Line. They work together on the field to entertain the crowds and support their Red Raiders.
This year the TTU Twirlers include Chailie Alsaffar (Head), Emma Zuar, Morgyn Hendon, Anna Hughes, Caitlin Woolley, Audrey Hartley, Laney Whitefield, and Features – Abigail Morgan and Kirby Stanek.
We asked the Tech Twirlers what the process was like to be selected to be on the team, and while the general process was the same, some of them had a different experience. As Morgyn told us, “I auditioned right when covid caused the shutdown, so I auditioned by video and interviewed on Zoom. I filmed my audition video on a tennis court, so the process was interesting.” Luckily this past spring, the audition process was able to be back in person. Anna explained to us how it worked. “First we learn a Texas Tech style group routine. Next, we performed the line requirements. Then, we performed a 2-to-3-minute individual routine.” This process makes for a long day, but the most exciting part, as Chailie told us, is that “(after the auditions) I didn’t have to wait too long, because I found out I made it by the end of the day.”
A fun sidenote about the current Texas Tech Feature Twirlers is that they were twirling together long before this Fall. Abigail and Kirby have actually been duet partners for several years, and even won first in Intermediate Duet at AYOP in 2019. We wanted to know what it has been like for them now getting to share the field. Kirby told us, “Having a couple years doing duet together has made taking the field so much easier because we both know how each other twirls. It always feels great when we can look at each other in the middle of pre-game or half time and just give each other a big smile!” Abigail agreed. “It has been so fun! We push each other to be better and have so much fun while we do it!”
Coach Bethany Tolley (whose mother and daughter were also Texas Tech Feature Twirlers!) works hard to ensure the Texas Tech Twirlers are the best representatives of TTU and Baton Twirling as possible. “The Texas Tech Twirlers have been around since 1927. There is a long history of amazing twirlers. I try to honor that legacy. That’s why the Fight Song routine is the same as it has been from the beginning”. While the program has been around for 93 years (wow), the program has evolved as time went on. As for what criteria she now looks for when selecting the line, Bethany told us, "We can take up to 10 twirlers on the line, but I will not sacrifice quality over quantity, so this year we have 7. My new focus on the line is upping the difficulty level. If you are interested in one day being a Tech Twirler, make sure to practice hard and learn lots!”
While each of these twirlers are from Texas, they had many choices of colleges, so we wanted to know what brought them to Tech specifically, and many of them said it was, as Audrey and Abigail put it, “The beautiful campus and the welcoming twirlers!” Morgyn was also especially drawn to the school spirit. “The amount of pride everyone has as a Red Raider is amazing.”
Others knew they wanted to be Red Raiders from when they were little. Laney told us she chose TTU because “Texas Tech has one of the best nutrition programs in the state, and I have dreamed of being a Texas Tech Twirler since I started twirling 13 years ago!” Kirby had a similar experience. “I chose Texas Tech not only because I was raised to be a Red Raider, but also because I knew I wanted to twirl for Bethany Tolley at Tech. It is what I have always dreamed of.”
While Chailie also loved the campus and the spirit, she really looked at Tech as the whole package when it came to colleges. “Texas Tech checked all the boxes that I wanted in a school. It had a great kinesiology department. It had a twirling team in place, which was really important for me because I wanted to be with a team of twirlers since I twirled alone in high school. Tech was really affordable. I also loved the campus and the traditions. I knew it was going to be home when I came to visit my senior year of high school.”
Now that we have learned about Tech History and why they are at TTU, let’s learn more about the twirlers!
Abigail is from Gonzales, Texas, and is a Senior Biology Major and Chemistry Minor. In addition to being a Feature Twirler, Abigail is also a senator in TTU’s Student Government Association for the College of Arts & Sciences, serves on the Committee for Student Life, is the director of philanthropy events and a sister of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and the director of social events for Mortar Board Forum Chapter. She has been twirling for 10 years, and the competition title she is the proudest of earning is the 2020 College Miss Majorette of the Southwest. Her favorite competition tricks are “rolls, rolls, rolls!” and her favorite field trick is elbow pops. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by Destiny Lopez, who is the reason Abigail began twirling. After she graduates, she plans to attend dental school followed by a periodontal residency.
Chailie is from Highland Village, Texas, and is a Junior Kinesiology Major and Biology Minor. In addition to being a Tech Twirler, Chailie is also a member of the Pre-PA Student Organization (PASO), the Service Chair for the Kinesiology and Sport Management Department Ambassadors, and is a sister in the Sigma Phi Lambda Christian sorority. She has been twirling for 10 years and the competition title she is the proudest of earning was the 2020 Southwest Regional Collegiate Downfield Strut Champion. Her favorite competition skill is back neck rolls, and her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by Nicole Jensen. After she graduates, she wants to become a Physicians Assistant and hopefully work in sports medicine, dermatology, or pediatrics.
Emma is from Fort Worth, Texas, and is a Junior Advertising Major. She has been twirling for 17 years with the Vick’s Chicks Coach, Vicki Ray, with additional coaching from the Texas Tech twirling coaches. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by former Vanderbilt Feature Twirler, Haylee Castagna.
Morgyn is from Midland, Texas, and is a Senior majoring in social work and minoring in sociology. She has been twirling for eight years and is coached by the Tech coaches. Her favorite field trick is a toss front walkover.
Anna is from Nederland, Texas, and is a Junior majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. In addition to being a Tech Twirler, she is also a member of the National Student Speech Language Association (NSSLA) and Students for Smile Train. Her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel, and she has been coached by Phyllis Mosley and Rebecca Neely. After college one of her goals is to be a Speech Pathologist working in a children’s hospital.
Caitlin is from Lindale, Texas, and is a Junior majoring in Animal Science on the Pre-Vet track and minoring in agribusiness. In addition to being a Tech Twirler, she is also a member of the Texas Tech Pre-Vet Society and Sigma Alpha. She has been twirling for six years. Her favorite competition tricks are any partner skills, and her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel. After college she plans to go to Vet school an become a veterinary surgeon.
Audrey is from Tyler, Texas, and is majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. In addition to being a Tech Twirler, she is also a sister in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She has been twirling for five years as a member of the Heart of Texas Twirlers and coached by Beth Maddox. She also gets additional instruction from the Tech Coaches. Her favorite competition skills are anything that deals with body work, and her favorite field trick is a toss front walkover. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by Beth Maddox. After college she hopes to apply to medical sales college or continue her education in graduate school.
Laney is from Granbury, Texas, and is a Freshman majoring in Nutrition with a minor in Chemistry & Biology. In addition to being a Tech Twirler, she is also a member of the Pre-Dental Society. She has been twirling for 13 years with the Vick’s Chicks Coach, Vicki Ray. She also gets additional instruction from the Tech Coach, Bethany Tolley. Her favorite competition skills are rolls, and her favorite field trick is either a toss cartwheel or three baton. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by former SMU Feature Twirler, Alex Bridges. After college she plans to attend dental school and hopefully open her own orthodontics practice.
Fun Facts!
- Favorite Colors – Lilac (Abigail), Red & Black (Audrey), Blue (Caitlin & Chailie)
- Favorite Movie or TV Show – James Cameron’s “Avatar” (Abigail), “Grey’s Anatomy” (Chailie), “Mama Mia” (Audrey), “Anything Disney!” (Caitlin)
- Favorite Music – “Anything by the Beatles” (Abigail), Indie (Chailie), Harry Styles (Audrey), Luke Combs and Dan & Shay (Caitlin)
Favorite Quote…
- Kirby – Philippians 4:13
- Chailie – “Be the change you want to see.”
- Audrey – “Expect the unexpected. Believe you can, and your halfway there!”
- Caitlin – “According to Greek mythology, the Titans were greater even than the gods. They ruled their universe with absolute power! Well, that football field out there tonight... that is our universe. Let’s rule it like Titans!”
- Abigail – “Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”
When they are not twirling, they love to…
- Abigail – “Get involved! I love being a part of many organizations and being an active member in all of them!”
- Kirby – “I love to work out with my family at CrossFit Wild West.”
- Chailie – “Cook, hike, kayak, and spend time with my loved ones.”
- Emma – “I enjoy drawing, writing, reading, and going to Sonic with my friends.”
- Morgyn – “Spend time with friends!”
- Audrey – “Go country dancing!”
- Laney – “Play tennis, swim, or enjoy time with my friends.”
Something people might not know about them is…
- Abigail – “I have a Blue Heeler named Moose.”
- Kirby – “I have extremely curly hair.”
- Chailie – “I love spending time outdoors!”
- Audrey – “I have a twin sister!”
Best moment as a baton twirler…
- Abigail – “Either when Kirby and I caught an exchange that went from one 40-yard-line to the other 40-yard-line, or when I got to spend my last first gameday in Houston, exactly where my first first game day at TTU was!”
- Kirby – “Performing at my High School’s pep rallies, and also the playoff football games I got to perform at.”
- Chailie – “My favorite moment was hearing the roar of the crowd at my very first performance in the Jones AT&T Stadium.”
- Emma – “When you inspire someone else to start twirling.”
- Morgyn – “Making the Texas Tech twirling line!”
- Audrey – “Making the twirling line at Texas Tech, and when new costumes come in!”
Funniest moment as a baton twirler…
- Kirby – “At one of my high school pep rallies, I got to perform a routine with some of my guy friends and the crowd thought it was hilarious. Definitely an unforgettable performance.”
- Chailie – “My funniest is also slightly embarrassing. During my freshman year we were rehearsing a routine to perform at ‘raider alley’, which is basically a pep rally, and I did a high kick and fell flat on my back. It was just one of those fail moments that you have to laugh at and I really wish someone had it on video.”
- Audrey – “Falling on your face after learning a new trick and being so sore you can’t walk.”
Most memorable advice from their coach…
- Abigail – “When it comes to performing, if you feel silly, you are doing it right!”
- Kirby – “Take my routines trick by trick.”
- Chailie – “Always watch the baton go up!”
- Audrey – “Smile and have fun!”
- Anna – “Keep smiling no matter what happens.”
#1 non-twirling life skill learned from baton twirling…
- Abigail – “Interview skills and being able to hold myself up high with confidence!”
- Kirby – “Interview! The interview process has made a major impact on my life, and has taught me how to speak in front of so many people.”
- Chailie – “Time management!”
- Emma – “You can achieve anything when you work hard.”
- Audrey – “Presentation!”
Advice to future twirlers…
- Abigail – “Enjoy every moment of twirling! When you are stressed about that competition or trick, remember that twirling is FUN!”
- Kirby – “Remember that it is not always about the tricks you are doing but rather the performance you are putting on.”
- Chailie – “Don’t let the fear of failure keep you from trying.”
- Audrey – “Don’t make it about the competition… practice and perform because you love the sport!”
- Laney – “All of the hours in the gym will pay off before you know it. Your hard work will not go unnoticed either. Try to incorporate a new training technique into every practice. This will help keep you motivated during practices.”
- Abigail – “Tortilla throwing at the beginning of the game.”
- Kirby – “When the fans throw tortillas at the games.”
- Chailie – “When our horse, Fearless, runs across the field during pregame.”
- Emma – “Hearing the matador song after every win.”
- Morgyn – “Throwing tortillas at football games.”
- Anna – “Carol of the Lights.”
- Laney – “My personal favorite is ‘Raider, Power’. It gives me chills every time.”
Tips to a twirler going through the college audition process…
- Abigail – “Have fun with it and show your personality in every movement!”
- Kirby – “Make sure you PERFORM! Not only the tricks, but with your smile too!”
- Chailie – “Remember to put on a show every time you perform, even if you are sending in a recording of yourself. Don’t be afraid to show your personality when you twirl and grab the attention of your audience. The band directors and/or twirling directors want to see that you can entertain thousands of people in a large stadium/”
- Laney – “Keep practicing and perform your routine in front of an audience! This is the best way to become comfortable for auditions and help ease the nerves!”
The past year was unprecedented, and we wanted to know how it affected these twirlers, and what they did to stay motivated. Abigail told us how she learned to appreciate the moments while she can get them. “Just as most other young adults’ experiences, the lack of social interaction was impactful on my mental health and I struggled with keeping my motivation for school, twirling, and other things in my life. I worked hard to hold myself accountable with a planner and daily checklist. I now hold every experience a little closer to my heart knowing that it could be taken away.”
Kirby found a way to make sure that, even with the crazy events going on, she kept her focus on her dreams. “I knew that even though last year was not easy, my dream was to twirl at Texas Tech, and I knew I had to do everything possible to make that happen.” Chailie also had a dream she was chasing that kept her moving forward. “I competed at Miss Texas, so that motivated me to continue practicing even though I was unsure about whether I would ever get to perform on the field again. After getting sent home during my spring semester of freshman year, I really missed competition season, especially nationals. So, when I returned to campus in the fall, I never took any twirling moment for granted, even twirling in the stands, because I never knew when it was going to be my last performance.”
Being able to have a semi-normal year, we asked these twirlers what they were looking forward to the most. Anna told us it was being back on the field. “Last year we were not able to perform pregame or halftime on the field. This year I was very excited to be back on the field performing both!” Morgyn was also excited about being on the field, but for her, it was the first time as a collegian. “I was so excited to get to perform pregame on the field this year. I’ve looked forward to doing it since I was in middle school!”
Chailie found that she didn't know how much she missed their performances until she was back in performance mode. “After our first home game I realized how much I missed out on a true football season last year. Last year there were barely any fans in the stands, the twirlers were not allowed on the field at all, and we did not travel to any away games. At our first home game of this year, I was overcome with emotion during pregame when I finally heard the crowd singing out alma mater song and the fight song." Kirby also felt the emotions of having a real Game Day. “Twirling on game day in front of a full stadium is an indescribable feeling and makes every single practice worth it."
We want to send a big thank you to the Texas Tech Twirlers for sharing their game day with us and telling us more about their experiences in Raiderland. We hope they have an amazing rest of their season and we can't wait to see them on the competition floor. Wreck 'Em Tech!
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 HS twirlers on Fridays throughout the season with the Friday Night Lights Features and discovering more about our Texas Collegians with the Collegiate Twirler Spotlights during the week. We will also be having many of our HS 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!
