Collegiate Twirler Spotlight - NC State University Feature Twirler

 Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

We just love that College Football is back in full swing. The past few weekends have included many great moments, including some awesome field twirling. We loved getting to follow along with a #TeamTexas Twirler turned Wolfpack Feature Twirler as her and her co-features took over our Instastory on Saturday, and now we are excited to have them as this week’s Collegiate Twirler Spotlight.

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 NC State University Feature Twirler, Amber Sorenson!

NC State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is the home of Wolfpack, and a great lineage of Feature Twirlers. Led by coach Bethany Shreiner with assistance from Courtney White, the current 2025-26 Pack Twirlers include freshman Alyvia Sohyda, Marla Edgecomb, Ashlyn Corey, and the subject of today’s Spotlight, #TeamTexas twirler and Pack Twirler Captain, Amber Sorenson!

In order to earn her spot as a Pack Twirler, these twirlers had to follow the audition process, and then will re-audition each year. “We have an in-person audition that consists of a timed mile run, a group routine, an individual routine, and an interview.”

As a Texas girl, it is always a big decision to go out of state for college, but for Amber it was an easy choice. “I went out of state to North Carolina because I wanted to experience something new and discover my identity outside of my comfort zone. From the moment I first visited NC State, I felt at home. I attended their Twirler Day during my senior year of high school, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere made me certain this was where I belonged. The culture of the university was incredible and its baton twirling program was a bonus!”

One of the “coolest” things about the Pack Twirlers is their love for bringing fire to the field. “We twirl fire at every home football game and pep rally!” Another interesting fact about the NC State Twirlers is the twirler Tailgate! The Twirler parents organize a tailgate each game for the twirlers, their family and friends, and alumni to come together. Complete with food and themes, it is a fun Game Day addition special to the Pack Twirlers. 

In addition to twirling fire, Amber says there is so much to love about NC State. “I love the Wolfpack spirit! Everyone is so kind and supportive. Professors, faculty, and staff are always willing to help and encourage students to succeed.”
That Wolfpack Spirit is apparent in their campus traditions. “One of the best traditions at NC State is the lighting of the Memorial Belltower in red to celebrate victories and achievements. It’s such a powerful symbol of school pride, and it always brings the Wolfpack community together.”

Finally, we wanted to know what Amber is looking forward to the most this season, and she said it has to be the NC State vs. UNC football game! “UNC is our biggest rival, and we’ve beaten them six years in a row! This year it’s a home game, so I’m excited to defend our reign on our own field!”

Now that we have heard about twirling at NC State, let’s learn more about Amber!

Amber Sorenson, Junior
Amber has been twirling for 16 years. She is a member of Twirl ATX, where she is coached by Ashley Wood, as well as being a member of the Forte Dance Twirl Artistic Group Team, where she is coached by Colleen Middleton and Courtney White. The competition placement she is the proudest of was placing in the Top 5 at the IBTF World Championships in Liverpool (2023) and Turin (2025) with her Forte Dance Twirl team in the Artistic Group event. Her favorite competition trick is a tiktok double illusion (one open illusion and one cross over illusion), and her favorite field trick is a Leap Walkover with a fire baton! In baton twirling she has been most inspired by her former NC State Co-Features: Claudia Swauger, Robbie Leske, and Kira Greer. After college, Amber hopes to attend Medical School to become an orthopedic surgeon. 

Fun Facts!
• Favorite Color – “Pink!”
• Favorite TV Show – “Grey’s Anatomy”
• Favorite Book – “7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“Lemon Perfect”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto…
“You only live once!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to…
“Play intramural sports.”

Something people might not know about her…
“I love to travel! In the past two years I have been to England, Ireland, Guatemala, Guam, Amsterdam, Paris, Peru, Fiji, and Italy!”

The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is… 
“The ability to command a room with confidence.”

The most memorable advice from her coach(es)… 
“Never say no to an opportunity!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“My biggest piece of advice is to take in every moment as a college twirler. Every appearance, every performance is an opportunity to live out your childhood dream. So, take in every moment and don't take anything for granted."

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“While being an ambassador to Peru for the 73 Annual Festival of Spring, as I was twirling in the five-mile parade, little kids were running through my performance and walking right beside me as I twirled. It was very strange, but very fun to twirl for them.”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“My favorite thing about marching season is getting to twirl fire in Carter-Finley for the student section. They LOVE fire and go absolutely crazy for it every game.”

What will she miss most when marching season is over… 
“I will miss all of the early morning and late night practices with my team and amazing coaches. I will miss everything about it! I love every second of marching season.”

Thanks to Amber and the Pack Twirlers for sharing their Game Day with us. We really enjoyed learning more about NC State and seeing these awesome twirlers do what they do best. Congrats Amber, and we wish you a wonderful remainder of your season. Go Pack!

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.