This weekend, we’re excited to have Nancy Wilkins, a senior twirler from Elon University, take over our Instagram story for college football gameday! Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Nancy has been twirling for 10 years and brings her fiery performances to every game—literally. As Elon’s sole twirler, she’s ready to give us a glimpse into what gameday looks like at her university.
**Meet Nancy Wilkins**
- **Full Name:** Nancy Wilkins
- **College/University:** Elon University
- **Year in School:** Senior
- **Hometown:** Pittsburgh, PA
- **Years of Twirling Experience:** 10 years
Nancy has a rich background in baton twirling, starting as part of her high school’s majorette squad and solo competing throughout all four years. Since arriving at Elon, she’s continued her passion for twirling as the school’s only twirler, creating routines that showcase her skills and unique style.
**What Nancy Loves About Gameday**
Nancy’s favorite part of gameday is without a doubt twirling fire! She incorporates fire batons into every pregame and halftime performance, thrilling the crowd and amping up the energy in the stadium. One of her favorite moments is interacting with the Elon community, especially young fans who come up to her after the game for photos and inspiration.
**A Memorable Night Game**
One standout memory for Nancy was her first night game as a college twirler. The electrifying atmosphere and the way the fire batons lit up the dark stadium made it an unforgettable experience. “The energy from the crowd was amazing, and the flames looked incredible against the night sky,” she recalls, adding that the photos from that night turned out especially cool!
**Why She Loves Twirling for Elon**
Nancy takes pride in being Elon’s only twirler, giving her the freedom to choreograph her own routines and represent her school in a truly unique way. Twirling fire at every game is a highlight, but she also values the close-knit community within her marching band. “I’ve gained so many amazing friendships through the band,” she says, noting how much she enjoys spending gamedays with them and building school spirit through her performances.
**Gameday Traditions and Preparation**
Before every performance, Nancy finds a moment of quiet reflection to remind herself how fortunate she is to continue twirling at this stage in her life. Another ritual she cherishes is doing a good luck "stick click" with her friends in the drumline before they take the field for pregame.
Preparation is key for Nancy’s game day performances. The day before the game, she practices all her routines one last time and packs her bag to make sure she’s ready for the big day. On gameday mornings, you’ll find her prepping her fire batons and equipment before heading to the band’s practice.
**Fueling Up for Gameday**
To stay energized for long gamedays, Nancy relies on healthy snacks. Her go-to pregame fuel is carrots with hummus, paired with a Celsius energy drink to keep her going through the day’s events.
**Advice for Aspiring College Twirlers**
Nancy’s advice for future college twirlers is all about balance. “The academic transition from high school to college can be intense,” she says, recommending that new twirlers learn how to juggle schoolwork and twirling early on to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
**Sharing the Joy of Twirling**
For Nancy, college twirling has been a special experience, and she feels lucky to have found a school that fits both her academic and twirling aspirations. Coming from an area where twirling is common, she loves introducing the sport to Elon students who may never have seen it before. “It’s meaningful to me that I can share a piece of the twirling community with them,” she says.
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Be sure to follow along on our Instagram story this weekend as Nancy gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Elon University’s gameday! From pregame fire baton performances to the energy of the crowd, you won’t want to miss this exciting takeover!
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