Golden Girls shine for Baylor at National Twirling Championships

As Baylor Golden Girls — twirlers who perform alongside the Golden Wave Band at football games — Mattison Torres and Kelsey Vaughn are used to cheering on those who compete on behalf of Baylor, displaying their skill as twirlers and adding to the pageantry of gameday at Floyd Casey Stadium. But this summer, they were the stars of the competition, as they represented Baylor this summer at the “World Series of Twirling,” the America’s Youth on Parade National Twirling Championships at the University of Notre Dame.

Torres and Vaughn, both junior pre-business majors and Zeta Tau Alpha sisters, participated in the College Miss Majorette of America competition, collegiate solo and downfield strut events, and other individual events throughout the competition. The weeklong event annually brings together twirlers of all ages from across the nation. Participants not only compete, but also serve as role models and inspiration to the younger ages.

The pair of Bears represented Baylor well; Torres placed 17th and Vaughn 19th in the nation in the Miss Majorette of America pageant (out of more than 70). Both placed in the top 10 in multiple individual events, and both finished top 5 in the solo and 2-baton routines.

“Kelsey and I have both recruited to keep a high standard of twirler at Baylor,” Torres said, recounting the benefits of the National Twirling Championships. “We have learned self-motivation, hard work, pose and grace, crowd confidence and goal setting through twirling, and it is an honor to represent Baylor at these competitions and on the field!”

Sic ’em, Mattison and Kelsey!