Glendale twirler wins the gold

Ten-year-old Trina Catterson knows that hard work and perseverance truly do pay off. The Glendale native recently won three age group titles and four Grand Championship titles at the 2011 U.S. National Twirling Championships.
Baton twirling is an artistic and aerobic sport that combines both dance and gymnastics while maneuvering one, two or three batons. Twirling can be done individually, in pairs or in a group and is a highly competitive sport.
Trina competes individually as well as on the Queens twirling team, City Twirlers, which her mother, Kathleen, coaches.
“I’ve participated in competitions locally [as a girl] but not like Trina has,” said Catterson, “It’s awesome to offer her the opportunities I didn’t have.”
In this year’s championships, which took place in Little Rock, Arkansas from July 11 through July 15, Trina competed in five individual events. She competed against twirlers of all ages and won the Grand Championships gold for solo and strut.
Trina also won gold for freestyle, an event offered for the first time by the United States Twirling Association on the juvenile level.
Additionally, she competed in New York State and North East Regional Championships which ran from May until mid-July.
Trina started twirling at age four after showing interest in the sport by imitating the girls her mother coached.
In 2007, at age six, Trina competed in her first National Championship and won for her age group.
Starting at age nine, Trina began working with elite coach, Alaine Robbins. From September to March Robbins choreographs Trina’s routines and after the routines are completed Trina and Robbins rigorously practice them for upcoming competitions.
“Alaine has not only taught Trina the art of baton twirling, but has worked with her on the importance of mental focus, correct practice technique, dealing with the pressure of competition and most importantly, enjoying the journey she is on,” said Catterson.
“It takes so much to put it all together and that’s where Alaine comes in. She is phenomenal.”
Catterson admits that sometimes it is hard not being able to coach her daughter but she understands that the best way to help Trina with the stress and pressure of the sport is to be her mom, not her coach.
Despite training for 15-20 hours a week, Trina still goes to school and has other hobbies. She enjoys cooking and playing sports with her brother, Randy.
“The hard part is giving her the time to be a child [but] she is a normal kid,” said Catterson.
In March 2012 Trina will be eligible to try out for the U.S. World team which will represent America in a world twirling competition in Paris, France. Her spot on the team will be determined by her scores in compulsory and freestyle events. Even though she is the youngest competitor trying out, Trina dreams of making the team and is working very hard to obtain that goal.