By Sam Payer
After three years of performing solo, Maryland feature twirler Lexi Duda finished out her last season with a new addition to the halftime show by her side.
This semester feature twirler Maddie Long, a soon-to-be a transfer student from Prince George’s Community College to the University of Maryland, joined Duda and the Mighty Sound of Maryland on the field for game day performances.
“I go to PGCC and I know that a lot of twirlers in the past went to community college and then go to Maryland,” Long said. “Financially, it’s better for me and I’m really grateful that can still twirl.”
Long started practicing with Duda, a senior broadcast journalism major, during band camp in August, where the two planned out their halftime show. They have spent the semester training together in preparation of Duda’s graduation from the university in the spring.
“Lexi has been amazing and I could not have done it without her,” Long said. “I usually get a little lost, and she always tells me where I need to be gives me tips on how to transition throughout the band.”
Long has been twirling since she was two years old, and began her career alongside her mother who was also a baton twirler. Though the two don’t have a coach for game days, Duda’s mom Juli, who is a former twirler at the University of Maryland, has a coaches pass and helps out on the field.
“A typical practice we do our is [warming up] with the band then come up with new tricks rehearse what we’re going to do during the games,” Long said. “Band is so much more fun than normal practice because it’s more creative.”
Long spent the fall semester practicing on the field with the band to learn the ropes before Duda graduates this spring, while simultaneously preparing for her competition season which she trains for all year.
“Maddie and Lexi are extremely talented twirlers, but naturally Lexi had a foot up on Maddie this season because this was Maddie’s first season with the Mighty Sound of Maryland,” Garrett Tatano, senior electrical engineer major and Mighty Sound of Maryland Drum Major, said. “Next year, Maddie will be the twirler with all the experience, and I know she’ll do a great job.”
The band season is based off of football season, but competitive twirling goes from September to July. This competition season Long will be representing this university in the National Collegiate Solo, a brand new event that she has never competed in before.
“It has been a pleasure getting to work with Maddie. She comes to every rehearsal with a positive attitude and a drive to perform her very best,” Tatano said. “Rehearsals can be a bit repetitive for someone in her position but she always stays engaged.”
For now, Long will be the only twirler on the field but says there are many other twirlers interested in coming to Maryland, and hopes she will have a partner to take the field with next year.
“It will definitely be different without Lexi, I have a lot to live up to but I’m excited for next year,” Long said.