I was wondering what encompasses a great twirler in your opinion? For me, it is the total package. What I mean by that is not only are they great twirlers, but also great people outside of the competition realm. I have seen great twirlers in the past perform really well in competition, yet do not genuinely give credit where credit is due.
The twirlers who I consider great are the entire Foehlinger family (Bobby, Tammy, Tina, Sue), Donald Garcia, Matt Freeman(eventually), Annetta Lucero, Tricia Daniels, Wendy Rhodes(DMA), Courtney Stangry, Noriko Takahashi, Stacy Singer, Jenny Hannah, Holly Neilson and yes, I do consider my sister to be one of the twirlers who can stand the test of time. I could make the list longer. What do these twirlers have in common? Of course they all work/worked hard, but more importantly they are/were genuine people who you know are good from observation.
I could not tell you, nor do I care how many awards any of these people have won. What I do remember is how they are as people.
I remember as a kid admiring some twirlers who I believed to be great, yet I immediately discounted them if they were not sincere. I have always tried to not belittle any twirlers not only because it's the right thing to do, but also because I remember being the twirler who could barely do a finger twirl, awe-inspired by these great twirlers of the past, intimidated-even and many of these twirlers encouraged me to pursue my passion, directly and indirectly.
Of course I have always wanted to be seen as one of the great twirlers, but I hope when I do decide to hang up twirling forever, that I will be remembered for being a genuine person too.
So I guess an added twist to this post is what characteristics do you look for in a great twirler and how do you want to be remembered?

Sean

I couldn't agree with you more Sean. Its not what you do on the floor that matters, but how one acts and conducts themselves off the floor that is a greater importance to the sport and its development. Thank you for your direct condor and observation.

Well said Sean. I must also say that Karissa has definately stepped it up a level this year to earn her place. Her Finals Solo in Tucson was one that will stand the test of time for a example of a championship level solo.

How I want to be remembered?
That I instilled the love of this sport in everyone I came in contact with.

Good post Sean.
My first time at Twirl Mania, I heard a competitor get upset because I won of of my contests, saying that I didnt deserve it because I did not twirl NBTA. This was so disheartening. The next day I met Chelsea Russell....

Chelsea Russell is the reason I now twirl with NBTA. She is a twirler I will always admire, because she didnt care what orginization I started in. She knew my love for the sport, and pushed me to compete. I feel like I owe some of my success in NBTA to her, and her mother.

I agree. Awesome Post.

When I was 11 or 12 years old, I was practicing on the fieldhouse side at nationals while the halftime teams were performing. I was attempting my first one spin backwards illusion. I kept dropping, and dropping, and dropping, and dropping, and dropping, til finally I picked up my baton and screamed I QUIT at the top of my lungs. I took off my Razzle Dazzle warm ups, sat on the floor, and cried. Literally the moment after, this tall guy comes over to me and tells me "Don't quit, baton is difficult, but I promise you'll get it. Keep trying, don't give up when it gets tough, just keep trying". I had no idea who he was until one of our older twirlers rushed over to me to ask me what he said. Bobby Foehlinger is the reason I keep twirling.

I look for a twirler to be an inspiration to instill passion into their lives, in all cases. To not see another twirler as "lower than them" because they don't have their name on any traveling trophies.

This past nationals, Tiffany Reicosky gave us our corps awards and she told me that I was one of the most theatrical performers she's ever seen. That meant more to me than any place on a score sheet. I don't compete individually anymore so to be recognized for a performance representing my corp/my family...means more than anything.

I want to be remembered as a passionate twirler. One who put her heart and soul into every performance regardless of placement or the amount of competition. It's not about winning, it's about pride and passion for what you do.

Also agree.

Don't have time to elaborate - but I agree that your character will be remembered long after those trophies/medals/titles.

Sean, thank you for bringing more light than heat to this discussion. I love the expression, "People won't always remember what you said or did. But they'll always remember the way you made them feel." There are twirlers who make me feel something extra; many of your heroes are mine. I would also add my earliest twirling teachers (they weren't called coaches back then): Connie, Sherry, Wade and Bonnie.

To me its not just about amazing twirl skills and showmanship. But its how they handel themselves on and off the competition floor. I don't like to see twirlers get upset or angry about a drop because they happen and you can't help it. I like a twirler to handel a drop as what the t-suirt saying goes, "Drops are part of my routine." I also like to see twirlers come off the floor, whether their performance was good or bad, with a positive attitude. I look at it this way there will always be another twirling competition (unless your retiring) so why get upset over a few lousy drops?

--Abby

As a very young twirler, I do not remember any older twirler ever offering encouragement (that's not to say they didn't). The most emulation-worthy thing I ever saw (when I was younger) was the twirler who came off the floor saying "that wasn't my best ::shrug::" I appreciate that attitude, even though I admittedly struggled with it myself. As I advanced, I met many twirlers I admired on and off the floor. I'm not talking only twirlers who could be considered timeless, but those who were GREAT people who happened to twirl well--not even always the best twirlers. Making an exhaustive list would take too long, and I don't know many well enough to be able to tell.

Twirling years for most won't last that long. I want to pass on faith and life skills.

I remember two twirlers from when I was young. They were very good twirlers (not sure of their nat'l standing....think they did well) but it is how I remember them that sticks out:
Rose Marie Sampson, from Maine -- she was always classy and polished
Alana Ferry, from Massachusetts -- she had unbelievable showmanship

Another that I remember, for the most unusual trick I've ever seen -- Liz Cadell from Alabama (a Deveney student) -- who could do fishtails on her ankle! And it didn't look awkward!

As for how I would like to be remembered, I would like to be remembered as a coach who mixed the right amount of support, encouragement, and knowledge to help my students succeed in twirling and take something valuable away for life.

GBSS..Funny you mention the ankle fishtail..I have a student working on a ankle fish carry.

wow - it must be ankle fishtail year or something! Dale White was telling us at camp that he used to do an ankle fishtail because he couldn't do them on his wrist!

That's great, TwirlSuperstar! My baton would probably be all over the place if I were trying an ankle carry.

A judge once wrote nice foot fishtails on my scoresheet when I didn't properly execute a double leg, layout, pop-up; but that's the closest I've probably ever come to foot fishtails:):)