International twirl

South student represents U.S. in baton event

As the beginning of August arrived and most kids were contemplating the end of summer, one Willoughby South student was boarding a plane to compete at the 2019 International Cup in Limoges, France.

After years of hard work, and thousands of hours of practice, Mikayla Schuller had achieved one of her twirling goals; representing the United States in an international baton event.

A week later she achieved a second twirling goal and was standing on a podium with a gold medal around her neck; the best 15-17-year-old Junior A 2-baton twirler in the world. She also finished fifth in her 3-baton routine during this World Baton Twirling Federation event and was a team member on Intrepid, an elite team that finished seventh at the Grand Prix event the following week; the top team from the United States.

Just like Olympic athletes who compete for their country, the right to compete for Team U.S.A at the International Cup is something you earn by winning preliminary events the year prior.

For Mikayla and the other Team U.S.A. members that event was held in July 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida at the United States Twirling Association (USTA) Nationals.

Mikayla starting twirling baton back in 2010 soon after moving to Willoughby. Over the next nine years her drive and determination helped punch her ticket to France this past month. Bobby Knight once said “The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.” That will to prepare to win is what sets Mikayla apart from all her peers. You will find Mikayla practicing anyplace she can find a spot, be it the studio, the YMCA, a driveway, a gym, a back yard, it does not matter; what matters is only that she can practice.

After qualifying for the International Cup, and the Grand Prix at the USTA Nationals in Jacksonville in 2018, Mikayla kept busy winning other events leading up to her Gold Medal in France.

In the Mid-East Regionals for 2019, Mikayla was the Junior 2-Baton champion, Overall 3-Baton champion, and with her partner, Sarah Lewis of Avon, the Junior Artistic Pairs champion. At the USTA Nationals in Dayton, Ohio she took home top honors as the 16-yearold 2-Baton Champion, Junior Pre-Trials Freestyle Champion, Junior 3-Baton Champion, and was a member of the USA Team Intrepid Champions.

A few weeks prior to flying to France, Mikayla was crowned champion of the 15-year old 3-Baton at the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) Nationals in South Bend, Indiana.

SUBMITTED Mikayla Schuller is shown with her medal.