Anyone who believes a twirler simply stands there and looks pretty hasn't watched Meredith Sigler, 22, perform. The University of Oklahoma baton twirler knows too well the countless hours, pain, practice and stamina required for collegiate twirling; she just wishes everyone else did.
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"People have these stereotypes of twirlers as just holding a baton and not doing too much,” she said.
With six national championships and two world championships under her belt, Sigler continues disproving twirling stereotypes.
Under the guidance of her mother, Sigler began her career as a baton twirler early. Following her family's legacy, she started ice skating in the footsteps of her grandmother at age 2. She switched to twirling at age 7.
"My mom twirled and taught classes at a dance studio, so I took her class and liked it right away,” she said. Her sister also twirled as a child, and although she later opted to participate in other sports, her initial involvement inspired Sigler.
"There's always that sisterly rivalry that goes on, and that was what made me go on,” Sigler said.
Her competitive spirit brought Sigler to her first national championship at age 7, and she continued moving up in rank annually.
"I remember the first time I was in ‘advanced,' I felt in over my head because I went to the national championship with so many outstanding people,” Sigler said. "But that's a good feeling; you want to work toward that goal.”
In the eighth grade, while many young girls were dreaming of high school and boys, she won her first world championship in England. A second world championship followed in France. To qualify for a spot in the world championships, Sigler had to rank in the top three at the national level.
Her enthusiasm for twirling and dancing continued throughout high school, preparing her with the drive necessary to perform in college.
Jaya Srinivasan, 21, danced with Sigler at Lakeview Centennial High School in Garland, Texas, and was influenced by her spirit.
"She is an awesome person and has great skill which she is incredibly humble about,” Srinivasan said. "Watching her perform and dancing alongside her was an amazing opportunity for me because I got to be with someone who is skilled, professional and wonderful.”
Sigler first experienced the intensity of an OU football game as a spectator when she was a junior in high school, but she says being the center of attention for 85,000 people is a different story.
"I still get chills thinking about that first game I performed at,” she said. "It's like the greatest feeling in the world; you can't even put it into words.”
Sigler has now twirled for the Sooners for more than three years, but hasn't lost her motivation for consistent improvement.
Lauren Hop, 21, is Sigler's close friend and former roommate, and can attest to her exhausting practice schedule.
"She would wake up early, at 7 a.m., to go to the Huston Huffman Recreation Center and practice at least four times a week by herself,” Hop said. Even while suffering asthma and multiple injuries, Sigler maintained the schedule without complaint, Hop said.
"I think dealing with her asthma while she's twirling shows a lot of dedication and strength,” Hop said. "Also, she used to always coming home with some kind of injury, but she still kept practicing through everything.”
Twirler stereotypes make it difficult even for doctors to understand the athleticism involved.
"It's hard to get people to understand you can actually get hurt from twirling,” Sigler said. "I literally get hurt all the time in some way.”
Although OU football fans have the greatest opportunity to see the baton twirling performances, Sigler performs at a basketball game at least once a year.
"I really like the basketball games; the fans are closer and the smoother surface allows me to do harder things,” she said. "It's different from football because they can actually see what I'm doing, and see a different side of my twirling.”
While entertaining sports fans, she also is working toward her goal of a third world championship before graduating from OU next fall.
Later on, she hopes to judge twirling competitions and teach summer training camps, with which she has been involved for the past few summers.
Though Sigler knows twirling isn't for everyone, she said she would recommend it and support those interested in it.
"I definitely think it's worth the time commitments, just because I've learned so much through it and had so many experiences,” she said.
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