SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Young Americans Twirling Corp from Saxonburg brought home numerous awards — and championships — from the 63rd annual USA World Open and Grand National Baton Twirling Championships.
The event is held each July at Notre Dame.
The week-long showcase featured team and individual competition involving thousands of twirlers and dancers from the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The Young Americans Twirling Corp claimed the USA National/World Open Halftime Championship title. The 28 team members were led by captain Stacy Arner and co-captain Sarah Roudybush.
The squad included Alexis Adams, Allyson Caruso, Jennifer Caruso, Libby Casey, Autumn Cichra, Molly Conlon, Erin Daubner, Rachel Davis, Isabella Durci, Ashley Hughes, Madalyn Fissore, Bethany Jones, Madison Koegler, Abbey Mahan, Olivia Mahan, Madison McCall, Harley Moser, Cordray Negley, Abby Ohl, Kendall Orris, Carley Perroz, Kaylee Perroz, Kenley Renfrew, Hannah Rowe, Madison Semler, Lurena Steart and Anna Wolf.
Gwen Pysh coaches the team, assisted by Natalie Loher.
The 10-member Senior Young Americans won the USA World Open and Grand National Senior Beginner Dance Twirl championship for the fourth straight year. Those members were Arner, Jennifer Caruso, Conlon, Daubner, Davis, Hughes, Olivia Mahan, Carley Perroz, Roudybush and injured teammate Heidi Fanton.
The Junior Young Americans won the USA World Open and Junior Beginner championships for the first time. They included Adams, Cichra, Durci, Fissore, Abbey Mahan, Moser, Orris, Kaylee Perroz, Renfrew and Wolf.
Individual team members winning top 10 medals included:
Cordray Negley and Libby Casey, first place in Junior Duet Twirling.
Cordray Negley, sixth and seventh place in Solo and Fancy Strut.
Libby Casey, first in two baton solo and eighth in solo.
Anna Wolf, two seconds and a sixth-place in solo.
Jenny Caruso, fourth in two baton solo.
Erin Daubner, ninth in solo.
The Senior and Junior Young Americans also competed in team Dance Lines and were awarded fourth and fifth place, respectively.
