Jul 14 2010
Another Great Baton Story
Emily Reyer takes 5 state baton twirling titles
June 29, 2010
By Tara Sackman
At 7 years old, Emily Reyer picked up her first baton in Kathy Forsythe’s Boys and Girls club class and never set it down. Eight years later, Reyer is still twirling every week with the same coach. All the work seems to be paying off.
In May, Reyer won the state title for her age group in five of six events. She then went on to compete for the Grand Championship titles in dance twirl, strut, two-baton and three-baton. She won the dance twirl and strut titles and took second place in the two- and three-baton categories. The grand championship is comprised of the winners from each age group to determine the best of the best.
“It’s a real experience for me,” Reyer said. After eight years, the excitement of competition still motivates her to continue.
Reyer’s first national competition was in 2005 in Kansas, but one of her favorite moments was at the national competition in Daytona, Fla. In 2008 where she qualified in three events.
“I still get nervous,” she said.
In addition to reaching national-level competitions, Reyer practices and competes with a national baton team called Encore.