Queens kid on hard work and winning the gold

Hard work and perseverance truly do pay off – one just has to make sure they are there to catch opportunity when it arrives.
Trina Catterson is one young kid who knows a thing or two about hard work and about catching things. The Glendale native flipped and caught twirling batons on her way to victory, recently winning three different age group titles and four Grand Championship titles in the 2011 U.S. National Twirling Championships.
The 10-year-old competes individually, as well as on the Queen’s twirling team, City Twirlers, which her mother, Kathleen, coaches. Trina and her team have participated in the Forest Hills Memorial Day parade, the National Puerto Rican Day parade and has been on Sesame Street twirling her baton.
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’s mom said that her daughter’s talents are opening up many more opportunities than anyone expected. The twirling tween has wowed judges and opponents on a national level – and eventually, on the international level.
“I’ve participated in competitions locally [as a girl] but not like Trina has,” her mom said. “It’s awesome to offer her the opportunities I didn’t have.”
In the 2011 U.S. National Twirling 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 medal for both solo and strut.
Trina also won gold for freestyle, an event offered for the first time by the United States Twirling Association to Trina’s 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. She caught on quickly, and by 2007 was participating in her first National Championship, where she won her age group for the first time.
Starting at age nine, Trina began working with elite coach Alaine Robbins. From September to March, Robbins choreographs Trina’s routines. 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. This fall she will enter the sixth grade at P.S. 113 in Glendale. When she’s not twirling circles around her competitors, Trina 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.
Also, at Nationals next year, Trina will test her ability in the qualifications for the International Cup team in 2013.
“It’s a pretty busy year,” her mom said. “And finally Trina is of age to have the opportunity to qualify for these events.”