Bringing home medals and plaques from this year’s World Open Baton Twirling Championships are North Central residents (left) Alaina Hewitt, 11 and Madysin Hewitt, 8. They each won nine medals a piece. The girls are coached by their grandmother, Becky Hewitt, founder of Arizona Twirling Athletes (submitted photo).
Thousands of baton twirlers gathered July 19-26 to compete in America’s Youth On Parade, baton twirling’s most prestigious event of the year, at the 70th Annual World Open Baton Twirling Championships in South Bend, Ind.
Arizona was well represented by the Phoenix Superstars, a dozen young girls ages 8-16 directed by Becky Hewitt of North Central Phoenix and assisted by Sarah Ewart of Gilbert.
Twirlers from the United States and around the world competed in nine different solo events including one-baton, two-baton, three-baton, duet, trio, hoop, flag, strut and show twirl. Team events were held in Dance Twirl and Twirl.
The Phoenix Superstars spent many hours perfecting their routines this past year preparing for this event, and were well rewarded for their efforts by winning 80 medals and seven Team Plaques, placing them in the top 10 of the country.
For more information about the Arizona Twirling Athletes nonprofit youth organization, e-mail beckysbaton@cox.net or call 602-997-0522.
