Most girls at about 11 or 12 get the “cheerleading” bug. They want to cheer so badly they practice everywhere they can. Not many, however, go after baton twirling with the same gusto. As we know, there are exceptions to every “rule”.
Hannah and Mina Pahls, daughters of Brent and Jennie Pahls of Sylvan Grove, have been twirling batons since before they could read.
Hannah, 16, started twirling when she started Kindergarten. She has been twirling now for about 11 years.
Mina started twirling at the age of four and has been at it for about 9 years. In the beginning, the girls took lessons from Melanie Falcon (Melanie’s Magic). Currently they both take lessons from Koralea Slagle at Slagle Dance and Baton Studio in Clay Center.
Both girls use their unique talents to support the SLUHS Mustangs.
“Hannah started twirling with the SLUHS marching band in 6th grade. Mina started twirling with the SLUHS marching band in 5th grade,” Jennie said. “It had been several years since SLUHS had baton twirlers in their band before the girls joined. The girls have received strong support from their school. Hannah and Mina also try to twirl at a couple halftime performances each year.”
Both girls are members of the USTA (United States Twirling Association) and compete in several USTA competitions held throughout the state as well as the Kansas State Contest and Central Region Contest.
“This year they competed in their seventh National Contest,” Jennie said. “USTA twirling events have various levels of twirling based on the current number of wins. The levels are Novice (0-3 wins), Beginner (0-5 wins), Intermediate (6-10 wins) and Advanced (more than 10 wins). The Novice, Beginner and Intermediate twirlers compete at Festival of the Future during Nationals. The Advanced twirler competition is called “Nationals.” Twirlers compete at their current level and one level above. Some of the events the girls compete in are Strut, Solo, 2 Baton, and Artistic Twirl. The girls are on two twirling teams that also compete. Two of the bigger events the girls have competed in are US PreTrials and Athlete of the Year,” Jennie explained.
US PreTrials is a tough competition that prepares them for the US Trials and achieving a spot the USA team to compete internationally. Hannah got on the podium in 6th place in the AA Junior PreTrials last year at Nationals, and Mina won the A Junior PreTrials this year at Regionals.
Pahls said the competition for PreTrials is tough and takes a lot of work. In PreTrials, contestants are scored on two different routines: baton twirling compulsory events based on their current skill level followed by a Freestyle routine of their own music choice and costume. The levels of PreTrials (A, AA, AAA, and Elite) are each sorted by age group (Juvenile, Junior, and Senior).
Hannah also competed in Intermediate Junior Athlete of the Year, competing against 13 other girls from five different US regions. In this difficult competition contestants are scored on a Solo, Strut and 2 Baton routine plus a written essay. Hannah placed 2nd in her Solo, 3rd in her Strut and 4th in her 2 Baton. Overall, she received 3rd place in her Intermediate Junior Athlete of the Year competition.
The USTA Nationals and Festival of the Future competitions occur at the same time and place each year but the location changes. The girls have competed in Madison, WI; Jacksonville, FL; Dayton, OH; Daytona Beach, FL; Stockton, CA. They are just returning from the 2023 National competition held at Kissimmee, Florida.
Both girls have achieved success in individual baton twirling events. This year at Nationals/Festival of the Future, Mina “got on the podium” in all of her events, meaning she placed in the top positions. She achieved 5th place in Beginner 2 Baton 13yr old, 1st place in Novice 2 Baton 13yr old, 2nd place Beginner Solo 13yr old, 2nd place Novice Solo 13yr old, 4th place Novice Artistic Twirl 13yr old and 2nd place Beginner Artistic Twirl 13yr old. Mina’s twirl team “Kora’s Kollection” received first place for Beginner Juvenile Small Dance Twirl Team. Mina’s team mates are Brooklyn Webb, Mea Affolter and Jaycie Falcon. Hannah earned 4th place in Intermediate 2 Baton 16yr old, 3rd place Beginner Artistic Twirl 16yr old, 6th place Intermediate Artistic Twirl 1617yr olds, 1st place Beginner Strut 16-17yr olds, 2nd place Intermediate Strut 16-17yr olds, and 1st place Intermediate Solo 16yr old. Hannah’s twirl team “The Spinsations” went on to the finals round for National AAA Junior Small Twirl Team and got 3rd place. Hannah’s teammates are Addy Gurney, Alexa Leitzel, Kaylyn Johnson and alternate Jaycie Falcon.
Congratulations to both Hannah and Mina for all you have achieved.
