TWIRLER CLEANS UP AT 2013 AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES

Written by: Amanda Szylin  

Winning an AAU gold medal to some is one of the biggest achievements they’ve ever accomplished. To others, like Samantha Williams, it’s just another day of baton twirling. Williams, 13, has won a total of more than 100 medals, with 26 coming from the 2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games alone. She’s competed in every AAU Junior Olympic Games since 2006 and began twirling when she was three years old.

Williams didn’t necessarily want to be a Baton Twirler, in fact, she stumbled upon Baton Twirling when the ballet class she was attending was full. Parents of Baton Twirlers happened to be waiting outside of the ballet class Williams was trying to attend, and seeing how disappointed she was that she couldn’t participate, they suggested she try baton. The rest is history.

She started as a beginner, but showed promise at a young age and flew through the levels until eventually she became the first to meet the advanced level. She is now the longest running member of the Solid Gold Baton Twirlers and has the most advanced level experience of her teammates.

Now, Williams says she likes baton because it gives her the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world with the same love of twirling. The south Florida native said she became friends with twirlers from Canada at one of her events and they still keep in touch.

Williams is the Advanced 13-15 All Around Twirling Champion of the 2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games and competes in freestyle and dance twirl and will be attending the 2014 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa.