Queens Girl Hopes To Twirl Her Way To Gold Medal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A young Queens girl who dreams of being the world's best baton twirler is getting her chance in a big way, CBS 2's Scott Rapoport reported.
"I want to win the gold," 13-year-old Trina Catterson said."[It] just takes a lot of practice. Hand-eye coordination."
With an astonishing array of twirling trophies and medals, Catterson is a member of the United Sates National Baton Twirling Team. As Rapoport reported, she earned a spot on the team after a second place finish in the national tournament earlier this year.
"My dream is to become a world champion someday," Catterson said.
Now, the teenager is preparing to take on the world—literally.
This week, she is heading to England to compete in the World Baton Twirling Championships, which is considered the Olympics of twirling, Rapoport reported.
Catterson will be competing against 40 of the best baton twirlers in the world, some of whom are three years older than her.
When asked if she was nervous for the competition, Catterson said, "A little bit. But more excited to have the experience."
Catterson began baton twirling when she was just 4 years old. She won her first national competition at the junior level by the age of 7. Now, she has 32 national titles and told CBS 2 she has around 260 awards combined.
Her coach, Alaine Robbins, said she had an almost instant affinity for the sport.
"She's unique. Most athletes her age don't have the talent level that she does," Robbins said.
Catterson said the secret to her success is practice.
"When it comes to nationals, [I practice] about six to 12 hours a day," she said.
Now, the kid from Queens will travel to the land of the queen, hoping her skill and determination will make her a royal success.
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