Local Twirler to represent the U.S. at the World Baton Twirling Championships.

Bowie twirler Laney Puhalla has been selected to represent the United States in the 33rd World Baton Twirling Championships, August 6-15, in Helsingborg, Sweden. At that competition, the best baton twirlers from around the world will compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the twirling equivalent of the Olympic Games.
Puhalla, 15, earned a spot on Team USA by taking first place in the final round of the U.S. Trials, held July 10 in Mobile, Alabama during the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships. She has been twirling for 13 years, is a veteran of international competition and will be making her second trip to the World Championships.
“Team USA has a great mix of veteran competitors and fresh talent this year,” said John Chamberlain, president of the United States Twirling Association (USTA), which selects the athletes for Team USA. “They are gifted athletes, who train with the dedication and determination of Olympians, and we are excited to cheer them on as they ‘go for the Gold’ at the World Baton Twirling Championships.”
Team USA will represent the U.S. in men’s and women’s individual events, pairs and team events. Puhalla will compete in the Junior Women’s event and the Team event. The World Baton Twirling Championships come just a month after the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships, where Puhalla took top honors in 15-Year-Old Solo, 2-Baton and Dance Twirl. In addition to her twirling titles, Puhalla has earned many awards as a competitive dancer and also served as Miss Maryland Pre-Teen 2013.
“Twirling is an aerobic sport that combines athleticism with artistry,” said Chamberlain. “A top twirler must develop many of the same skills as athletes in other sports, such as the speed of a sprinter, the hand-eye coordination of a hockey player, the technique of a ballet dancer and the flexibility and power of a gymnast.”
Puhalla is a sophomore at Keystone School, where she is a student mentor, participates in Jr. Honor Society and is a member of Student Council.
The World Baton Twirling Championships are sponsored by the World Baton Twirling Federation (WBTF). For more information, visit www.worldbaton2016.com.