Major competition brings twirlers from all over the state
By HAYLEE SPENCER
Updated: 01.18.10
Excitement and anticipation were in abundance Saturday and Sunday as twirlers from across the state came to The Woodlands to participate in the first competitive baton twirling event of the season.
The second annual Twirl in the Woods baton twirling competition, hosted by Mickey’s Majorettes and College Park High School, began at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
“We are very excited to get started,” said Michael Reed, of San Antonio, whose daughter, Alex Reed, 6, was competing in the event. “This is game time for the girls.”
The competition is a National Baton Twirling Association sanctioned-contest, and more than 140 girls from all over Texas and Conroe ISD arrived to have their skills judged and critiqued.
Events included solo, team, half-time performances and attire competitions. Girls as young as 3 through college level were invited to compete.
Twirl in the Woods is the first baton twirling competition of the season, which begins in January and continues through July, when nationals take place. Nationals are held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
“Support from the other coaches in Texas is what really makes our competition so successful,” said Patti Mickey, director of Twirl in the Woods and Mickey’s Majorettes. “We support them by traveling to their competitions and now they are supporting ours.”
This is also the only competition located in Southeast Texas. Other national qualifying competitions are usually held in San Antonio, Dallas, Amarillo and beyond.
“It’s really convenient to have a competition so close to home,” said Whitney Wylie, 17, a junior at CPHS. “It really saves money on travel, stay and other expenses that come with having competitions so far away.”
Mickey’s Majorettes, Sue Stepperettes, (I believe the comment should have been "Sue Young with the Texas Twirlers"), and twirlers from the Vicky Michelle Studio combined and represented Houston and surrounding areas in the competition.
CISD performers from College Park High School included Hannah Dziuk, Mary-Michael Bellin, Kristin Baker and Whitney Wylie. Mickey’s daughter, Kayli Mickey, who is the feature twirler at Southern Methodist University, was also present.
The College Park Twirlers Trio won first place in the junior trio event of the competition.
The advance competition winners are listed below.
Thirteen-to-15 years advanced pageant: Caroline Carother and Alyssa Beaupre; 16-plus advance pageant: Lauren Basile, Stephanie Lampman and Whitney Wylie; 13-15 advance x-strut: Caroline Carothers and Rachel Smith; 16-plus advance x-strut: Lauren Basile and Stephanie Lampman; 13-15 advance solo: Caroline Carothers and Alyssa Beaupre; 16-plus advance solo: Lauren Basile, Stephanie Lampman and Whitney Wylie.
For more information about Twirl in the Woods and future competitions, visit mickeysmajorettes.com.
Here are the Pictures from the Online Article:
A great performance picture of Jana Reid's team, but the caption should be "Tiny Tot Dance Twirl Team".
This "Loco-Motion" group is one of Vicki Michelle's Dance Twirl teams.
Two new Mickeys Majorette Twirlers did a great job performing their duo on Sunday Morning.
Kayli Bull is performing in the foreground with her team during Sunday’s competition .
This is the Watson & Watson Stingerette Duet of Corpus Christi, TX and from the Nancy Eisenhauer School of Twirling.
Here are some more photos from "Twirl In The Woods".
If you email us your photos, we'll add them too.
Allie Pellerito takes time to pose for the camera during the TITW weekend. (picture from Linda Pellerito).
Ashley Wilkinson receives her First Place trophy for her Show Twirl, (Shake Your Tail Feather), performance Saturday night at Twirl In The Woods. (Picture from Jennifer Wilkinson).
Miss Woodlands Pageant 0-6 winners photo opt, (picture from Jennifer Wilkinson).
A big smile from Allie Pellerito during Sunday’s competition at TITW, (picture from Linda Pellerito).
The Final pose of the 1st place Tiny Tot Dance Twirl Team from the West Columbia, TX area. They preformed Sunday morning at TITW, (Picture from Jennifer Wilkinson).
Lorin & Brennan Macklin join their friend Kayli Mickey for a quick pic during TITW, (Picture from Brennan Macklin).
