Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Redcoat Band majorette line won three national collegiate championships at competitions held July 19-23, at Notre Dame University.
The Redcoat Band majorette line won the USA and National College Halftime Show Team Championship, the National Collegiate Majorette Line Halftime Show Team Championship, and the USA and National Senior Large Dance Twirl Championship.
UGA feature twirler Hope Carrell won the National Two-Baton Championship and qualified to represent the USA at the World Championships in the Netherlands this spring, her fourth trip to the worlds. Carrell was also the fifth runner-up in the Miss College Majorette of America competition.
“Twirling for the University of Georgia Redcoat Band national champion majorette line just became serious business,” said Candy Byrd Roland, auxiliary coordinator for the Redcoat Band and majorette coach.
Roland, a former UGA feature twirler (1992-96) and seven-time national champion, said the UGA majorettes practiced as much as 10 hours a day during the weeks leading up to the competition, perfecting their two competition routines.
“This is definitely one of the most talented majorette lines in the country and one of the best that the University of Georgia has ever had,” she said. “I could not have asked for better representation of the University of Georgia Redcoat Band.
“The desire to win and tireless efforts of these girls is to be commended,” Roland said. “We all really appreciate the support that we received from not only the Redcoat Band and Alumni Band, but also from the athletic department and the Athens community. Now we look forward to the nearing football season and performing in front of 92,000 ‘Dawg’ fans.”
Team members include Ashley Grant (captain) of Monroe, a junior; Liza Pitts (captain) of Elberton, a junior; Meghan Banks of Elberton, a freshman; Samantha Buxton of Gainesville, Fla., a freshman; Amy Demers of Lavonia, a freshman; Cecilia Epps of Decatur, a sophomore; Amanda Farmer of Bowdon, a freshman; Amanda Fleeman of Lavonia, a freshman; Sierra McBee of Jesup, a freshman; Amy Wendel of Brunswick, a junior; and Jessica Wilhite of Elberton, a sophomore.
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