Two Fort Hays State University twirlers competed in a national competition sanctioned by the National Baton Twirling Association this past July in Indiana at the University of Notre Dame. Shelby Schumacher, Hays, Ks., freshman, won the Beth Wilson Wow Award for creativity and show, and also placed first in flag twirling. She brought home two trophies and six medals. Molly Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz., junior, brought home seven medals and three trophies.
Schumacher started twirling and competing at the age of two, on both team and individual levels. She is currently performing with the Fort Hays State University Marching Tigers until her next competition in May.
“I twirled with the Hays High marching band,” Schumacher said. “I twirled with my middle school as well, and I’ve twirled with Shannon’s Stars Athletic Club in Salina.”
To prepare for the competition, Schumacher practiced with her team throughout the summer. When she is not competing, she will practice three to four times a week.
She has won local, regional, and national titles, competed at state events and regional competitions, and has always competed in the NBTA competition. At nationals, Schumacher competes with states such as Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri, and with countries like Canada and Mexico.
“In order to qualify for nationals, you either have to win a state title or a regional title,” Schumacher said.
Molly Johnson performed with her high school in Phoenix, and she was a feature twirler there for four years. She was part of the Phoenix Superstars, a twirling team in Arizona, and is part of Shannon’s Stars Athletic Twirling Club. She is currently performing the Marching Tigers as well here at Fort Hays State University with Schumacher.
“I started twirling when I was three and a half or four,” Johnson said. “My next door neighbors twirled and we were really close. My mom asked, “Don’t you want to be like them?’ and I thought “Of course!’ So I decided to twirl, too.”
Johnson practices daily, for two to three hours. She started competing at the age of four.
“I’ve won state regional, national, and Grand National, and I’ve also competed in a different system, USTA, as well,” Johnson said. “So I’ve won a few awards with USTA, but I’m mainly an NBTA twirler. I also compete, like with Shelby.”
The United States Twirling Association is a national and nonprofit organization dedicated to the positive youth development through the sport of baton twirling.
“Twirling gives you the chance to meet so many people that you would have never thought of meeting,” Johnson said. “It gives you the basic life skills of knowing how to carry yourself and how to handle yourself under pressure.”