Baton athletes head to Switzerland for World Championships

Mildmay’s Bailey Pinder, 16 and Puslinch’s Mackenzie Ross, 14, only have a few more days to fine tune their routines before traveling to Neuchatel, Switzerland for the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) World Championships from April 4 to 9.

In July, both Superstars Baton Club members qualified to represent Canada at the world championships.

The baton twirling competition occurs every three years with a different host country each time.

Each athlete competing in Switzerland had to qualify in their native country as one of the top three competitors in their age division.

Pinder will represent Canada in the Junior X-Strut and 2Baton divisions. She is also the reserve for the Junior solo and rhythmic twirl divisions.

Ross will represent Canada in the PreTeen X-Strut, Solo, 2Baton and Rhythmic Twirl divisions.

Both athletes are also a member of the Junior Dance Twirl Team who will be competing for a top spot in Switzerland.

Coach Krista DiStasi said both athletes have worked very hard over the past nine months to have their routines ready for the competition.

Baton is gaining recognition across the world and has found itself involved not only in the world championships but also the World Games, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympics and the international event Twirl Mania.

For more information on the club, visit www.superstarsbatonclub.vpweb.ca.