Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia majorettes and feature twirlers’ competition team won the National Open Half-time Show Twirl Championships at the 2016 America’s Youth on Parade USA and World Twirling Championships held from July 26-30 in South Bend, Indiana.
In addition to the team event, both of UGA’s feature twirlers, Jameson Kenerly and Miranda Williams, won the top two titles for individual collegiate competitors. Kenerly is the 2016 National Collegiate Twirling champion and Williams is the 2016 National Downfield champion.
The UGA twirlers competed in two team events: a halftime routine, which is judged based on artistry and a dance-twirl routine, which emphasizes difficulty and intricacy of tricks. With these routines, the UGA twirlers are the 2016 Open Collegiate Half-Time Show Twirl Team Champion and WOW award recipients for best choreography among collegiate teams. UGA was also awarded the Michael Moore Choreography Memorial for outstanding choreography among all competition routines in the senior age division-the first time this award has ever gone to a collegiate team
The UGA twirlers also placed first and third runner-up in large and small divisions of the senior dance twirl competition. For this event the majorettes competed against twirling teams from across the nation.
Kristina Howell, senior captain of the UGA Majorette line, won the Team Member of the Year award for leadership and performance among other competition teams.
Members of the majorettes and feature twirlers’ competition team include:
• Carly Baker, a May graduate from Peachtree City.
• Kristina Howell, a senior from from Monroe.
• Adeline Kenerly, a senior from Jesup.
• Jameson Kenerly, a senior from Jesup.
• Maisie Macknight, a sophomore from Calhoun.
• Jolie Meyen, a senior from Oglethorpe County.
• Valerie Miller, a senior from Monroe.
• Mikayla Moran, a sophomore from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
• Mary Elizabeth Nipper, a junior from Jesup.
• Molly Pierson, a senior from Calhoun.
• Hallie Smith, a junior from Hazlehurst.
• Blake Terrell, a sophomore from Monroe.
• Miranda Williams, a senior from Jesup.
Coaches Ashley Clark, Maureen Brannen, Julie Thacker Hayes, Colleen Murphy and Taylor Brown helped choreograph routines and prepare the twirlers for competition.
“The amount of practice these young women put into their routines over the past few months exemplifies their dedication and commitment to excellence,” said Clark. “Not only does UGA have the top collegiate twirling team in the nation but also the top feature twirlers, with Jameson and Miranda being recognized for their incredible performances.”
“We are very proud of the team for representing the University of Georgia and the Redcoat Marching Band in such a positive light,” said Mike Robinson, director of athletic bands. “The entire Redcoat family is excited for their success and we look forward to some great performances throughout the season.”
Kenerly and Williams competed against more than 70 other college twirlers from across the nation for their titles.
“This has been a dream for us since we started twirling as little girls,” said Kenerly and Williams. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring the wins home to UGA.”
The UGA majorettes and feature twirlers will perform with the Redcoat Marching Band at the first game of the season, Georgia vs. North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 3, in the Georgia Dome.
About the UGA Auxiliaries
The 2015-2016 Auxiliary unit consists of 18 Georgettes, 10 majorettes, 3 feature twirlers, and 28 flag line members. The Redcoat Marching Band was established in 1905 and auxiliaries were added in the 1950s. The UGA majorettes twirl together as a line and have team choreography, while the feature twirlers perform solo routines. Each auxiliary unit performs during pre-game and halftime with the band at home football games in front of 92,746 Bulldog fans in Sanford Stadium. The UGA Auxiliaries also perform at venues for pep rallies and community events.