A Gainesville baton twirler, Anna Mitchell Ralston, has landed a spot on Team USA, which will travel to the International Cup competition in Limoges, France, next summer.
The fourteen athletes who make up Twirl Forte qualified for the international competition during the International Cup Qualifier July 11 in Jacksonville, Fla.
These twirlers, age 12 to 15 from across three states, competed as a team in an event called artistic group, which emphasizes entertainment value. The routine was “Superhero” themed, incorporating girl-power music and popular dance moves, highlighting team twirling.
Coaches Colleen Murphy, Joy Kenerly, Lynice Williams and Courtney White helped choreograph routines and prepare the twirlers for competition.
“These twirlers came together from different coaches across three states to work together and try something new,” said Murphy. “Twirling as a team is such a fun, challenging and rewarding experience, but you get to experience it with your friends. It’s been great to watch these individual twirlers become a team and to see their hard work and dedication pay off.”
In addition to the group event, five team members qualified for individual events as part of International Cup Team USA.
The thirteen other members of the team are Sally Otts from Birmingham, Al.; Kaylynn Crump from Martin, Ga.; Georgia Nunn from Athens, Ga.; Jessica Morlan from Thomson, Ga.; Susan Otts from Birmingham, Al.; Ally Grooms from Clover, SC; and Adason Lambert, Ansley Harter, Graham Stanley, Jules Craven, Brayden Mosele, Charli May, and Joshlynn Westberry, all from Jesup, Ga.
The International Cup competition will be held from August 5 – 9, 2019, with representatives from more than 15 countries participating.
