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Before Alexa Paino began her routine at the Junior Women’s Rhythmic Twirl U.S. Trials in March, she reminded herself to ignore the competition and trust her training.

The approach paid off. Alexa placed fourth at the nation’s top competition for junior twirlers, earning an alternate position for the 2026 World Freestyle and Rhythmic Twirl Competition in Paris this August.

The U.S. Twirling Association describes the international event as the sport’s equivalent of the Olympic Games. Representatives from 25 countries are expected to compete.

Alexa, a rising eighth grader at St. Mark’s Catholic School in Vienna, is the youngest member of this year’s Team USA. She secured her place with a two-and-a-half-minute routine set to “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie.

“I wasn’t comparing myself to the other competitors,” Alexa said. “I kept telling myself to stay focused on myself and enjoying the experience.”

The Trials brought extra pressure, with four more judges than Alexa typically encounters at competitions. She advanced to the six-person final from a field of 15 competitors ranging in age from 12 to 17.

Alexa said she entered without expecting a particular result and surprised herself by finishing fourth.

Now she is preparing to step in if the team needs her in Paris.

“I’d love the chance to compete, but either way, I’m so excited,” she said. “If I’m not on the floor, I’ll be in the stands cheering everyone on and spreading positive, supportive energy.”

A family tradition taken to a new level

Alexa began twirling at age 2 and entered her first competition a year later. Her mother, Mandy, had also competed in baton twirling and marched in parades before retiring from the sport at 18.

After reconnecting online with friends from her twirling days, Mandy wondered whether her daughter might enjoy the sport. Alexa’s interest quickly grew beyond anything her mother had expected.

“I was pretty competitive back in the day, but nowhere near what she’s doing,” Mandy said.

Mandy described Alexa as highly self-motivated. Her parents give her the option of leaving the sport at the end of each season, but she continues to return. The one time she decided to quit, she changed her mind after 12 days.

Alexa now trains about 22 hours each week, primarily with the Wheaton Dance Twirl Teams in Montgomery County, Maryland. The program is sending two athletes to Paris this summer.

Three afternoons a week, Alexa travels from Northern Virginia to the Maryland studio. She uses the commute as study time, completing homework in the car.

Bringing gymnastics and dance under the baton

Baton twirling blends dance and gymnastics with demanding hand-eye coordination, giving it similarities to rhythmic gymnastics.

That combination is a major part of the sport’s appeal for Alexa.

“You get to do a little bit of everything, gymnastics and dance underneath the baton,” she said.

The lightweight baton must be fitted to the athlete’s arm length, and some routines involve more than one. Alexa has performed with as many as three batons at once.

She hopes to continue twirling for years and wants to broaden the sport’s local reach. Alexa plans to attend Bishop O’Connell High School and hopes to establish a baton-twirling team there.

“I think it’s a sport that is very overlooked, and it should be more available for people to try,” she said.

Before then, Alexa has several competitions ahead of her this summer, culminating with the world event in Paris. She is looking forward to reconnecting with athletes from other countries, supporting Team USA and spending time with her mother—possibly including a visit to Disneyland Paris.

“I know things will turn out best if I stay calm and just enjoy the whole experience,” Alexa said.