The nine-member team wearing their UK blue uniform with medals around their neck poses for a photo with the Wildcat mascot in front of a crowd.

Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorette Twirling line are national champions

The team won first place in the National Baton Twirling Association AYOP (America’s Youth on Parade) Pride and Tradition Pregame Competition in South Bend, Indiana earlier this month, a category for the high-energy routines majorettes and feature twirlers perform before marching band pregame and halftime shows. “Nine team members performed the winning routine last Friday. The team also won the “Wow” award for precision and the Slyvester/Nero Dynasty Award for Collegiate Majorette Line Champion,” head coach Donna Daniel told the Lexington Herald-Leader. “It really showed in their scores.”

Daniel co-leads the program alongside UK Director of Athletic Bands Shayna Stahl, with additional coaching support this season from Brenda Popplewell and Tiffany Disponette, the Herald-Leader reported. Daniel, who captained the UK team in the 1980s, told the paper that interest in competitive twirling has declined over the years.

“We often have to recruit from other states. All 12 members of this season's roster are from outside Kentucky,” said Daniel. She hopes attending the competition and meeting twirlers from across the country, along with winning the national title, will help draw even more competitive twirlers to UK.

UK Feature Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorette Twirling line celebrates winning the national championship competition, wearing their UK blue uniforms jumping with arms raised next to the UK Wildcat in front of a crowd. — UK Feature Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorette Twirling line celebrates winning the national championship competition July 18, 2026. Colton Rudd Photography Coach Donna Daniel Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/articl

UK Feature Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorette Twirling line onstage wearing UK blue uniforms holding batons and posing for an end move with the UK Wildcat centerstage, against a blue backdrop of curtains. — UK Feature Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorette Twirling line took home first place at the national championship competition. Colton Rudd Photography Coach Donna Daniel Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article3165773

Nine twirlers in UK blue uniforms stand with the UK Wildcat and post with coach Donna Daniels in front of a crowd — Nine twirlers participated in the performance Friday, July 18, and took home the first place award at the national championship. Colton Rudd Photography Coach Donna Daniel Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article3

The team built its routine during the spring semester, then trained apart over the summer, with members practicing individually and sending videos to Daniel and Stahl for feedback, per the Herald-Leader's report. The full team reunited three days before the competition, its first time together since May. The routine included a guest appearance from the Wildcat mascot and a member of the UK Cheer team – also a national champion this year — a moment Daniel said resonated with younger competitors in the crowd.

“We stress to the team that as we perform and compete, we are ambassadors of a great university. Our Twirlers plus the Wildcat did an outstanding job engaging and encouraging young fans – gaining us many compliments from parents and coaches,” Daniels said. She considers that a win on and off the field.

Read the Herald-Leader's full report: https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/fayette-county/article316577351.html

The team returns to Kroger Field this fall as part of the Wildcat Marching Band's pregame and halftime performances. Fans can get a taste of that experience for themselves. The Wildcat Marching Band's Twirler For A Day program invites participants ages 7-18, from beginner to advanced, to learn a routine alongside the team and perform it on the field at Kroger Field during halftime. Registration is $60 per participant and includes a T-shirt, a meal and game entry; the deadline to sign up is Sept. 14 at 8 p.m.

Promotional poster for event. All details in the image are reproduced in text on the page.

Twirler For A Day

Sat, Sep 26 2026, All day

Shively Training Facility

$60