Question: Tell us about your first WBTF World Championship experience. How did that prepare you for an exciting summer of competing at the first IBTF World Championships in the senior women’s category? What is your favorite part of creating unique/iconic designs to match your style with the Emma Faye brand?
Answer: It was an honor to represent Team USA at the last WBTF World Championship in Turin, Italy! The experience was one of a kind. It showed me how hard work and determination can lead you to your biggest dreams! I was able to meet and befriend people from across the world and share my love of baton with them as well. Now that I have experience at the elite world level, I have more confidence in my preparation heading into the IBTF World Championships in Liverpool, England! I like the design process of my costumes because I get to help Emma design a costume for me that will make me look my best and compete my best! I can’t wait to show my new Emma Faye design costume off at the IBTF World Championship this August!
Question: What is your favorite part of being a young, elite athlete in the twirling community? What are you most looking forward to at the first IBTF Nations Cup and World Championships in Liverpool?
Answer: Being an elite athlete at 13 years old does come with a lot of responsibilities, but I also make sure l have fun while l am doing it. I love when l am able to help a younger twirler learn a new skill or overcome some kind of difficulty in their twirling because l have already been through it and l am able to help them through my experiences. It feels really special to have the opportunity to be a role model but mostly l just want everyone in our sport to know that you have to have fun too!
Being apart of the very first IBTF Nations cup and World Championship event will be a such historical moment for our sport! I feel so blessed to be a part of all of it. I think l am most looking forward to being able to meet the althetes from the other countries and exchanging good luck gifts with them. Getting the opportunity to learn about other cultures through Baton and making friends from all over the world is so exciting! Of course l have to admit one of my favorite things is trying the foods. I think the best part of all of it will be debuting three new Emma Faye design costumes at the World Championship event!
Question: Describe what it is like competing on the elite national and world level? What goes through your mind when performing? And how does what you wear impact how you perform?
Answer: Competing on a world level is an experience like no other. Before I go on the floor, I have a ritual I do which consists of me jumping around and people usually stare at me like I am crazy but for some reason it's what I have to do. There is nothing more special than hearing the rest of the country chanting USA as you are taking the floor. I am always overwhelmed with a sense of pride and nerves as I walk up to my lane. When I am competing, I always go on automatic pilot and let my hundreds of hours in the gym take over. Sometimes it can be hard to not let the moment overwhelm you, but you have to just focus in and remember how much you prepared in the gym. I am very picky with my costumes, I do not want to feel like I am wearing a costume because it helps me feel like I am still at practice. Everything has to fit like a glove to make me feel my absolute best.
Question: What is is like navigating the baton twirling world, typically a female-dominated sport, as a male athlete?
Answer: Throughout my career I’ve been blessed to have a crazy amount of support from not only friends and family, but also my hometown. This helped build my confidence and be able to navigate a female dominated sport.
Often times costuming for male athletes falls as a second thought, which can be disheartening for anyone. Luckily, emerging costume designers like Emma Faye Designs allow creative freedom and expression for anyone! Male athletes can now, more than ever, curate the looks that they want to achieve and I think that creates a space for more men to join the game.
