Arapahoe High School feature twirler, Chelsea Flaum, and Cherry Creek High School feature twirler, Ashley Dolan, will represent Colorado in the 2009 U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships, July 13-18, in Tucson, Arizona. Nearly 600 athletes from 21 states will compete in the championships, which are sponsored by the U.S. Twirling Association.

Flaum and Dolan will compete in individual events including Solo - a fast-paced event where the baton is rolled, flipped and tossed around the body and through the air - as well as Two and Three Baton, Strut and Dance Twirl, which combine twirling with dance and gymnastics. They will also compete together in the Dance Twirl Pairs event.

At the 2008 U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships which were held in Daytona Beach, Florida, Dolan won the 15-year-old Two Baton Championship and Flaum won the 16+ Intermediate Strut Championship.

Their twirling coach, Michelle Dawson of Highlands Ranch, said both girls are dedicated athletes and talented twirlers who are committed to doing their very best.

"Chelsea and Ashley have worked hard all year, learning new tricks and perfecting her competitive routines. They've sacrificed a lot of their free time this summer for lessons and extra practices," said Dawson. "They will do a great job at nationals."

Flaum is a junior at Arapahoe High School where she is also a member of the award-winning Warrior Marching Band Color Guard and Winter Guard. Dolan is a sophomore at Cherry Creek, where she is co-captain of the CCHS Marching Band Color Guard.

When Flaum and Dolan aren't competing in baton twirling, they're sharing their love of the sport with kids across the metro area. They host fun and affordable Twirl Girl parties for birthday girls and Brownie troops. Visit www.twirlgirlparties.com to plan a Twirl Girl party for your youngster.