Elsie Post qualifies for World Baton Twirling Championships

It’s immediately apparent how much Elsie Post loves baton twirling. Ask her a question and her eyes light up; she knows all the ins and outs of the sport.

However, when the Advertiser sat down with her, the first thing she mentioned was her coach and the baton club in Fergus she’s been a member of for five years.

“Our club has really grown a lot,” the Damascus resident says. “At the beginning there was only 10 people in the club and now it’s up to like 32, so it’s grown a lot and I’m having lots of fun.”

Elsie practices baton twirling in Fergus as part of the Superstars Baton Club, under the leadership of coach Krista DiStasi.

In 2013 she began participating in competitive events and this year placed first at the 7 to 9 year old level in the Canadian Baton Twirler Championships held July 4 to 6 at Conestoga College in Kitchener.

“She is very passionate about her twirling and has great focus and determination,” DiStasi said. “I am very proud of Elsie and her accomplishments over the years and her achieving her goal of being on Team Canada.”

Elsie says it’s hard work getting ready for these competitions, but definitely worth it.

“I really like learning all the new tricks I get to do. It’s lots of fun, but hard work.”

She finished second in the world qualifiers, earning her a spot on Team Canada, and will compete in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy in April.

“(Krista) was really excited because she was hoping someone made it and she always wanted to go to Italy,” Elsie says.

When it comes to baton twirling, executing a perfect move doesn’t always mean the highest score. Elsie’s father Peter Post says judges consider a wide variety of elements during scoring.

“They have different things they’re looking for, whether it be eye contact, proper posture, or difficulty of the tricks,” he said. “You actually get more points if you try a harder trick and drop (the baton).”

Competitors are given a score out of 20 in five different categories and Post says Elsie usually has 70s or 80s.

It will cost approximately $3,500 for Elsie to attend the competition, but she’s hoping to raise more than that so her family is able to join her.

Leading up to the worlds there will be a few opportunities for the community to support Elsie, including a million dollar hole-in-one contest at the Pike Lake Golf Club. Prizes with a total retail value of $500 to $1,000, will also be awarded to those who finish in the top 10. The cost to enter the competition is $20 for 20 balls.

There are qualifying dates leading up to the Sept. 7 tournament, including Aug. 30 from 11am to 6pm, Sept. 1 from 1 to 6pm, and Sept. 7 from 10am to 3pm. The final competition is Sept. 7 from 4 to 7pm.

Elsie says she’s a little nervous, but more excited.

“I really love the competition,” she says. “I just really like to do baton, it’s my favourite thing. I do (get nervous) but I’ll get over it.”

 

Comments