Local athletes did well at the provincial baton twirling championships, according to Jenna Jemieff, who owns the Inspire Dance Studio and Baton Club in Olds.
Twelve students, all from Jemieff's club, competed in the championships held May 4-6 at the Ralph Klein Centre in Olds. In total, about 100 baton twirlers from across the province participated.
"For lots of the (local) athletes, it was their first competition, so they did remarkably well for their first competition and we're really pleased with their performance," Jemieff says.
Some qualified for nationals, which will be held this summer in Winnipeg. However, Jemieff says they've chosen not to go, due to concerns over costs.
Others, who demonstrated their talents in the pre-competitive portion of the tournament received various coloured ribbons for their performances.
"Red is the highest you can receive. Then it's blue, then it's white and then green is a participation award, Jemieff says.
Local baton twirlers will be participating in one last competition this season in Calgary in June.
Olds has hosted baton twirling provincials for the past couple of years and will do so again next year.
Jemieff says that's because of the quality of facilities at the Ralph Klein Centre and because Olds is a convenient, central location for most clubs.
Following are results achieved by local athletes:
Tianna Tedford - first place, provincial collegiate A 3-baton.
Debanhi Torres - second place, provincial BI medley.
Yahel Torres - fourth place, provincial BN solo, ninth place, BI 2-baton and eighth place, BI medley.
Palin Lentz - one red ribbon and two blue ribbons.
Cadence Witcher - two red ribbons and two blue ribbons.
Emma Petten - three blue ribbons.
Allie Hawman - two white ribbons and one green ribbon.
Alyssa Campbell - two blue ribbons and two white ribbons.
Allison Tarrant - three white ribbons
Natasha Tarrant -one blue ribbon and three white ribbons.
Zoey Beemer - one red ribbon, one blue ribbon and one white ribbon.
Katja Jordet-Rinsma - two blue ribbons and two white ribbons.
Thirty local athletes are also preparing to attend the TwirlMania International Championships in Disney World next February.
