Life

Baton twirlers going to world championships

Students from Phillips Fancy Footwork will compete as part of Team USA in the WFNBTA World Baton Twirling Championships in Lignano Sabbiadoro Italy in March 2027.

According to a news release, this past July, the team qualified in Pom Pom at the National championships held at Notre Dame University.

"Only one Pom Team is chosen to compete at the World Level," the news release said. "We did not know after Nationals that we were chosen. Alana Jones, coach, received an email stating we were awarded the bid to go to Italy!"

The Pom Team will compete with 12 girls in the World Pom division and also in the Majorette Pom divisio,n which is judged on marching and maneuvering with poms. The girls are: Kailin Banzhof, 18, South Williamsport; Leslie Eshleman, 15, South Williamsport; Bentley McNett, 15, Warrior Run; Anabelle Bender, 14, Hughesville; Madyson Owens, 14, Kaylee Banzhof, 11, South Williamsport; Aynslee Bardo, 12, Jersey Shore; Hayden Bender, 10, Hughesville; Jetta Martz, 10, South Williamsport; Macie Trotter, 21, Kings College and Avery Soltesz from Warrior Run. Avery is also competing in Rhythmic twirl in Italy.

"This is a very high honor to represent the USA and the girls were super excited when they heard they are on TEAM USA," the news release said. "This endeavor will be a memory that this group will never forget but financing this trip for 12 girls is going to be tough. We will be doing many fundraisers between now and March. Some include, a Burger Burn at Sam's Club on Oct. 3, a Texas Roadhouse night, Bingo and Cornhole tournaments. We are asking for our local communities to help make this dream a realty. These girls have put in the work and will continue to do so. Donations can be made directly to the girls through venmo @Alana-Jones-47"

The World Championships happen every 3 years. Alana and her Sister Alicia Trotter competed Pairs in the 1st World Championship in Holland in 1990 and took home the Gold medal. Alana competed in France in 1993 as a soloist and took home a bronze medal.