Photo courtesy of Bob Fitzgerald.
Sisters Sally and Susan Otts both performed in this year’s national championship for baton twirling.
For sisters Sally and Susan Otts, baton twirling is a family experience. Both Oak Mountain students represented Alabama at the National Baton Twirling Championship in July.
Sally, 12, competed for the title of Intermediate Preteen Miss Majorette of America. Her younger sister, Susan, who is only 10 years old, competed at Nationals for the first time this year and tried for the title of Beginner Juvenile Miss Majorette of America.
“I started when I was 5, and my mom put me in some classes,” Sally said. “I fell in love with it.”
Susan followed her sister’s lead in twirling, inspired by seeing her sister practice for countless hours and sitting in the audience during Sally’s competitions. It was Susan’s experience watching her sister compete in last year’s national championship, she said, that gave her the drive to want to make it to this year’s national competition.
Before the girls could make it to the national level, however, they first had to compete at state in April. The girls both said they enjoyed the experience and felt confident because of all of their past practice.
“It was a really fun experience because I had my twirling friends with me,” Sally said. “And I worked hard all year.”
Susan had a similar experience, she said, and was particularly happy with the amount of support she received from friends and family.
“Lots of friends came from out of state,” Susan said. “And my coach was there [with me], too.”
Even with this outpouring of love and support, both girls said they knew how important the state competition was for them to be able to compete at the national level, and they had to overcome some challenges as they performed their routines.
“I want to do my best, so sometimes I get frustrated,” Sally said. “There’s a bit of pressuring myself, but I went out there, and I was relaxed.”
Susan faced the same pressure, but said she also worried about dropping her baton. Having her coach at the competition, however, helped ease her nerves, she said.
After succeeding at state, the pressure returned with the thought of nationals.
“I’m excited that it’s my first year going to nationals,” Susan said, “[but] I’m kind of nervous that there are going to be better people.”
Both girls said they used their summer break to prepare the best they could, and they tried to calm nerves they felt during their time at the state competition.
“We practice all summer long,” Sally said. “We work hard and ran routines like crazy. Even if it sounds boring, I love it.”
At national’s, Sally place fifth overall in the intermediate division, and Suscan placed fourth in beginners.
The girls said that they usually practice about 25 to 30 hours a week during the summer, which does not account for the many hours that have been dedicated to traveling to be able to practice for team events.
“Last year I didn’t do the pageant,” Sally said. “This year I’ll be with my friends. This year it’s going to be exciting.”
Even though the girls are in the early stages of their careers, both Sally and Susan plan to keep twirling throughout school, including into college.
“I’m going to twirl all through college for sure,” Sally said. “And then I want to teach people when I get older.”
