Baton twirling was popular in the 1900s but there are not many people still doing it today. Baton twirling has been in freshman Mallory Cassell’s family for ages, and she keeps up the trend by advancing her twirling skills.   

  “My grandma actually twirled when it was first popular then my mom picked it up when she was little, and one day she found a little toy baton for me. Naturally  I started twirling it and I quickly fell in love,” Cassell said.

   Cassell is the first baton twirler North has seen. But she has been baton twirling since she was young, practicing and competing regularly.

    “We actually compete a decent amount, I do maybe 2 or 3 competitions a year and they’re these long 10 hour ordeals. My most recent one I got 2nd. Now if you asked my coach I should be practicing a lot more. I practice every Wednesday and sometimes private lessons on the weekends, and whenever I can get a chance,” Cassell said

   Even when not at practice, Cassell continues to grow her talents by using her everyday skills.

   “If you want to twirl, work on your patience. But cardio is important too, that’s one of the hardest parts for me,” Cassell said.     

   Cassell is a freshman and she still has years left on the field. She hopes others will start to join her twirling on the field.

 “Give it a try if you get the opportunity to, it’s a really cool thing and not that many people know about it,” Cassell said.