Austin Peay feature twirler finishes eighth in nation in three-baton championship

Melvin holds the Major Robert Dawson Traveling Trophy, awarded to the world champion for show corps with props.

Melvin holds the championship trophy for show corps with props.

(Posted July 31, 2019)

Austin Peay State University’s feature twirler, Izzy Melvin, finished eighth in the nation in the advanced three-baton championship at this month’s America’s Youth on Parade U.S. and World Twirling Championships at the University of Notre Dame.

The APSU sophomore and Governors’ Own Marching Band baton twirler also finished in the top 13 in the world open solo and two-baton group division and 32^nd in the featured College Miss Majorette of America competition (of more than 90 qualified competitors).

Melvin represented Austin Peay in the college competitions.

The highlight of the competition for Melvin, though, was when her team – the Saline (Michigan) Twirlettes – won the Grand National Championship for show corps with props. That win qualified the team, including Melvin, to join Team USA at the world championships April 8-12 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

“It was amazing!” Melvin said. “I’ve waited for this moment since I was 6 ½. Dreams do come true!”

Melvin earned the right to represent Austin Peay at the competition by winning Miss College Majorette of Tennessee at the Tennessee State Twirling Championships in April.

You might know Melvin. She’s the one who twirls fire during halftime at Austin Peay home football games.

Melvin, 18, won the national and world open three-baton championships in 2016 and the advanced three-baton Twirl Mania International Championships at Disney World the same year.

And, yes, that’s twirling three batons simultaneously (albeit not while they’re on fire).

Melvin studies graphic design and animation and is entering her sophomore year.

TO LEARN MORE

To learn about Izzy Melvin’s journey to Austin Peay, visit www.apsu.edu/news/november-2018-austin-peay-baton-twirler-fire.php.
For more about the Governors’ Own Marching Band, go to www.apsu.edu/music/gomb.
For more information about the America’s Youth on Parade competition, visit www.batontwirling.com/AYOP.
For more information about the world championships, go to https://wfnbta.com.

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