Friday, November 7, 2025

Collegiate Twirler Spotlight - University of Arkansas

 Hello Texas Twirl Fans!

Welcome to November! The weather is (kind of) starting to cool down (maybe?), and football season is starting to wrap up. These awesome Texas twirlers have done an amazing job this fall, and we love watching them wow the crowds. We especially enjoyed their Instastory Takeover at the end of October, and we are excited to learn more about this amazing team! 

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 Arkansas Texas Twirlers!


The University of Arkansas is the home of the Razorbacks, and some serious school spirit! It is impossible to attend a Razorback Game Day and not get caught up in the atmosphere. A big part of building that spirit is the University of Arkansas Twirlers! Led by Coach Cecely Clinkscales, the Razorback Twirlers bring smiles, sparkles, and awesome skills to the field each week. The Arkansas Twirling Line is also a huge draw for Texas Twirlers, and this year the 2025-2026 team includes SIX Texas girls! Today we are excited to share our Collegiate Twirler Spotlight with Jaycee Berryhill, Sydney Smith, Lily Avedikian, Kenna Stutsman, Evey LaBay, and Hannah Hester!

A fun fact about the Arkansas Twirling Line is that this year they have the biggest line in Razorback Marching Band History with 14 twirlers! In order to audition for one of these spots, they participate in a four part audition princess that includes a timed one-mile run, downfield routine, group routine, and a solo prepared routine!

We asked these Texas girls what made them choose Arkansas. Jaycee tells us the campus felt like home. “I chose UofA because I loved how beautiful the campus is, how sweet the people are, and of course, how amazing the twirling program is!” Evey knew from the beginning it was the best choice for her. “Arkansas has been my dream school since I was little! I never had a second thought!” Going out of state for college can always be a big decision, but it is one none of them regretted. Hannah said she just loved the town of Fayetteville. “There is so much to do here, and Fayetteville is so beautiful!” 

There are so many things to love about being a Razorback, but the traditions are what really bring them all together. “We love all the amazing traditions that Arkansas has, and how beautiful the campus is. Also, the atmosphere is all around. We just love the Hogs!”

We had to know what the best tradition is at Arkansas, and we were not surprised with the answer. “Calling the Hogs of course!” Did we even need to ask? While yelling WOO PIG is definitely the best tradition at UofA, there are many other chants that are fun as well. “With the band, when we end practice or before halftime we say “Go Hogs! Beat ____!” and we say whoever we play that week! It always gets everyone hyped up!” 

Finally we asked what they are most looking forward to this year, and they said “Night Games in DWWRS!”

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


Sydney Smith, Senior: Captain

Sydney has been twirling since she was 11, so about 10 years. She is coached by Cecely Clinkscales. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was when the Razorback Twirlers were named the 2025 Collegiate National Halftime Winners! Her favorite competition trick and her favorite field trick is a three spin. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by the Razorback Twirlers that came before her. “Their legacy pushes me to be my best!” After College she plans to attend nursing school and then continue on to get her Aesthetic Injector License. “I hope to get my nurse practitioner license at some point as well!”







Hometown – Pittsburg, Texas
Major – Public Health
Favorite Color – Pink
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Let It Shine
Favorite Book – “I’ve read too many books to choose!”

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“I always have to have my Alani and gummy clusters.”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto… 
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me…” Psalms 28:7

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“I love to read, stone things (you can never have too many things that sparkle), and enjoy time with the people I love!”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I like the taste of pickles, but I don’t like pickle juice!”

The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…  
“I have solidified my ability to be dependable for my friends, family, and teammates through twirling. Being a dependable person is very important in EVERY aspect of life, and twirling has helped me refine that skill!”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Eventually your twirling career will come to an end, but the skills this sport equips you with will last a lifetime!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Work hard, chase your dreams, and more importantly, HAVE FUN! Enjoy every hot practice, rainy game, and 5:00 am call time because before you know it, it’ll all be over! Make the most of the time you’ve got!”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“I’ve shared too many laughs with my teammates to pick just one! Honestly, I’ve spent as much time laughing as I have twirling in my career!”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“The football games of course! I love the atmosphere of the stadium, especially during pregame!”

What she will miss most when marching season is over… 
“When marching season is over, I will miss my college twirling career the most. I graduate in December so the end of the football season marks the end of my twirling career at the University of Arkansas. I have loved getting to spend the last 10 years participating in this sport. Twirling has brought me my closest friends and countless opportunities that I would have never had without it. I am beyond thankful to have spent the last decade of my life involved and the last four years twirling at UARK! WPS!!”



Lily Avedikian, Senior: Co-Captain

Lily has been twirling for 9 years and is a student of Janice Jackson Seamands. The competition title she is the proudest of was when she won the pageant at her first NBTA competition in 8th grade! “I won the title of Miss Spring Fling. I was so proud of my hard work!” Her favorite competition skills are all three baton tricks, and her favorite field trick is an illusion. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by former Razorback Feature Twirler, Savannah Miller. “I looked up to Savannah as a kid and then ended up twirling at the same school as she did!” After College, she plans to attend Graduate School to continue her education in Speech-Language Pathology!






Hometown – Hallsville, Texas
Major – Communication Science and Disorders
Favorite Color – Blue
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Gilmore Girls

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“Definitely the hot dog we get at halftime!”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto… 
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Play in the HogWild basketball pep band!”

The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…  
“Balance. The biggest life skill I have learned has been balancing twirling on top of having a job, being in band, and being successful in school.”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 

“Hard work can take you far!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Don’t doubt yourself! It’s all a mindset! You can do things you never thought you could if you have the right mindset!”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Knocking my three front teeth out at practice has to be the most memorable memory.”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“I love getting to practice outside before it gets cold and of course the football games! WPS!”

What she will miss most when marching season is over… 
“I am going to miss it all! I’m graduating this year, so this is my last marching season! I will miss the time laughing at practice with my friends!”



Jaycee Berryhill, Senior

Jaycee has been twirling for 12 years and is coached by Cecely Clinkscales and Paige Keitt. The competition title she is the proudest of earning was when the Razorback Twirlers won the Large Collegiate Show Twirl Team at AYOP! “We worked so hard to achieve this goal, and I wouldn't trade it for the world!” Her favorite competition trick is a three spin catch blind, and her favorite field trick is anything with two batons. In baton twirling she has been most inspired by her roommate, and Arkansas Feature Twirler, Analise Powell! “She amazes me every day with her strength, resilience, and kindness to others!” After College she plans to become an English Teacher in Arkansas! “While I'm doing that, I’ll also be working on getting my Masters in Library Sciences.”




Hometown – Troup, Texas
Major – English Education
Favorite Color – Lavender or light blue!
Favorite TV Show or Movie – FRIENDS
Favorite Book – Pride and Prejudice

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“Halftime Hot Dog!”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto… 
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Read, watch movies, hang out with friends, and listen to my records.”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I am a member of the band service sorority, Tau Beta Sigma.”

The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…  
“Definitely hard work and perseverance! I have achieved so many of my goals because of this!”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Go out on the field with your head held high, and come off the field the same way, no matter how your performance went.”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“These are experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life! Don’t take anything for granted and soak it all in!”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Definitely making TikTok's with Coach Cecely at Nationals. We were cracking up!”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“Getting to be on the field with my best friends and performing for my family every home game.”

What she will miss most when marching season is over… 

“I will miss all of my sweet friends that I have made through the Razorback Marching Band and Tau Beta Sigma! I love y’all!”



Kenna Stutsman, Senior

Kenna has been twirling for 13 years. Her favorite competition trick is a spin illusion, and her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel.  In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her Nina. “She is the reason I began twirling because she was also a twirler!” After College she plans to attend graduate school in Speech-Language Pathology then continue that career path. 











Hometown – Gladewater, Texas
Major – Communication Sciences and Disorders
Favorite Color – Pink!
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Gilmore Girls
Favorite Book – Reminders of Him

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“Alani.”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto… 
“Comparison is the thief of joy!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Spend time with family and go shopping!”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I have impeccable music taste.”

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

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“Know that you are not only representing yourself, but all twirlers and the University of Arkansas!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Never give up on your dreams. You can achieve anything you set your mind to with hard work.”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Playing in the rain on Beale St during our bowl game in Memphis and getting SOAKED!”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“Getting to go to every home game and being able to cheer on the Hogs!”

What she will miss most when marching season is over… 
“Getting to participate in games from a different perspective rather than just being a student.”



Evey LaBay, Freshman

Evey has been twirling for 10 years. She is coached by Cecely Clinkscales and Janice Jackson Seamands. Her favorite competition trick is a 2 spin catch blind and her favorite field trick is anything with 3 batons. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her team. “We all inspire each other to be the best version of ourselves!” After college she wants to work in healthcare. 











Hometown – Hallsville, Texas
Major – Nursing
Favorite Color – Blue
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Dancing with the Stars
Favorite Book – Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“Alani and protein bars.”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto… 
“What a privilege it is to be tired from work you once begged the universe for.”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Go to the library! Our university library is so peaceful and great for relaxing!”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I was born in Fayetteville!”

The best non twirling life skill she has gained from baton twirling is…  
“Determination!”

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“To not be so hard on yourself!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Even if it seems impossible, it is not if you work hard enough and really want it!”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Nationals with the Razorback Twirlers! This was my first nationals, and we stayed together in an Airbnb, and it was so memorable!”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“Hearing the band bring songs to life and play them so well!”

What she will miss most when marching season is over… 
“Being at the football games!”



Hannah Hester, Freshman

Hannah has been twirling for 10 years. She is coached by Cecely Clinkscales. Her favorite field trick is a toss cartwheel. In baton twirling, she has been most inspired by her teammates. “I feel so lucky to have teammates to look up to!” After College she hopes to major in nursing to become a labor and delivery nurse!”










Hometown – Beckville, Texas
Major – Nursing
Favorite Color – Pink!
Favorite TV Show or Movie – Gilmore Girls
Favorite Book – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Must have Game Day Snack/Drink… 
“Cheese-Its and Granola Bars!”

Favorite Quote or Life Motto… 
“My life motto is ‘Get involved!’. I owe my greatest experiences to putting myself out there and being involved in as many things as I can!”

When she is not twirling, she loves to… 
“Hang out with friends! Finding your people is such an important part of the college experience!”

Something people might not know about her… 
“I am very superstitious!”

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

The most memorable advice from her coach… 
“To have fun!”

Advice to future Collegiate twirlers… 
“Work hard and the results will be undeniable.”

Funniest memory as a baton twirler… 
“Our big/little reveal night!”

Favorite thing about marching season… 
“Being able to perform in Donald W Reynolds Stadium! It is such an exciting and surreal experience!”

What she will miss most when marching season is over… 
“Having the best seat in the house! Sitting with the band during the games is so much fun!”


We want to thank our Texas Razorbacks for sharing their Game Day with us. We really enjoyed learning more about the University of Arkansas and are excited to follow the rest of their season! Woo Pig! 


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. 

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