The Belchertown Twirlers traveled to South Bend, Ind. to compete at the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA) Championships held July 14-18 at the University of Notre Dame. They competed in the week long event with twirling athletes from across the United States and Canada, with team and individual competitions held each day. Over 1,200 twirling athletes competed throughout the event.
Individual events are judged on the variety and difficulty of tricks within routines, the speed used to execute tricks and the showmanship and presentation on the competition floor. Team events are judged by the choreography of routines, unison and difficulty.
Belchertown Twirlers were proud to be awarded numerous top-10 placements. The group competed in eight team events in various age divisions and were awarded plaques for second, third (2), fourth, sixth (2), seventh and eighth place. Members of the winning teams are Everly LaVallee, Piper LaVallee, Quinn LaVallee, Emelia Maldanis, Evelyn Maldanis, Delaney Ochs and Mya Weise.
Delaney Ochs competed in individual events, all in the Advanced Division — the highest level of competition. She competed in the Grand National Championships where there is a preliminary round and top-20 semifinal round before the finals. Ochs had to qualify at the Massachusetts State Championships to compete in this event and represent the state. She was announced as a top-20 semifinalist in the Pre-Teen Grand National Solo.
She went on to compete in the semifinals and was awarded seventh place, just missing the top six to advance to the finals. Ochs also won eighth in Advanced Solo, ninth in Advanced 2 Baton and 10th in the Advanced Rhythmic Twirl. She is the Pre-Teen Miss Majorette of both Massachusetts and the Northeast, and represented each one in the Miss Majorette of America Pageant.
Emelia Maldanis also competed in the Advanced Division. Maldanis took ninth place in the Advanced Rhythmic Twirl. A rhythmic twirl routine consists of twirling and dance moves choreographed to the music of the twirler’s choice. Maldanis came away with sixth place in Advanced 2 Baton and 10th place in Beginner 3 Baton. She is the Pre-Teen Miss Majorette of Massachusetts and the Northeast Royalty, and also represented Massachusetts and the Northeast in the Miss Majorette of America Pageant.
Quinn LaVallee won the Novice Strutting event for her age group. She then was awarded 10th in Intermediate Solo and third in Novice 2 Baton. Everly LaVallee grabbed a first-place finish as well, this one coming in the Novice 2 Baton event. LaVallee was also awarded fifth in Beginner Solo and sixth in Novice Strut. Evelyn Maldanis took home fourth place in Novice 2 Baton.
The Belchertown Twirlers also competed in duet competition. Emelia Maldanis and Delaney Ochs participated in the Advanced Division and won sixth place for their duet. Delaney Ochs and Mya Weise won sixth place in the Beginner Duet, while teammates Quinn LaValle end Mya Weise grabbed fourth in the Beginner Duet.
Last week capped off a very successful season for the Belchertown Twirlers. Kristi Ochs is the proud primary coach of the Belchertown Twirlers and is assisted by Brittani Ladd.
To join the national-winning Belchertown Twirlers, sign up for fall classes through the Belchertown Rec. Department. Classes begin Aug. 24 at Old Town Hall.