NATIONAL COMPETITORS Alyson Ausley, left, and Erin McGhin, right, are pictured with their twirling coach Karen Brooks.
Local baton twirlers Erin McGhin and Alyson Ausley traveled to Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana, last week and participated in the NBTA National Baton Twirling Championships.
In these open national events, Erin McGhin placed 5th in her solo competition division and 14th in the nation in her open strut competition division. She also placed 7th in national two baton twirling.
Alyson Ausley placed 14th in her open national solo twirl competition and 4th in her open strut, but also came in 1st place in novice national two baton, earning her the national title of 2019 Novice National Two Baton Champion.
In the National Beginning Miss Majorette of America Pageant both girls placed in the Top 15 with 11th place for Ausley and 14th for McGhin.
The girls earned the chance to compete in this prestigious event by securing wins at their state and regional level. Ausley won the title of 2019 Beginning Miss Majorette of the Southeast in Savannah in early March, and Erin won the title of 2019 Beginning Miss Majorette of Georgia in Athens in April. By winning these events, both were given the chance to compete in the Beginning Miss Majorette of America contest as well as single, open national level events.
Alyson is the daughter of Michelle and Carter Ausley of Cairo and a former Cairo High School majorette and 2019 CHS graduate. She will attend Georgia Southern University in the fall and will twirl with their majorette line.
Erin is the daughter of Laurie and Jason McGhin of Cairo and also a recent alumna and CHS majorette. She is attending Valdosta State University in the fall.
Both girls are coached by Karen Brooks of Apex Twirling Academy in Tallahassee, Fla.
