September 3, 2025
Lake County Twirlers Bring Home Medals From World Championships in Italy
By Kyle Coppola
Lake County Twirlers Bring Home Medals From World Championships in Italy
Seven local baton twirlers recently returned from the IBTF World Majorette Championships in Turin, Italy, with medals in hand and memories to last a lifetime.
The athletes, ranging in age from 10 to 28, competed in August as part of Twirl Florida, a statewide team formed in 2022 that has quickly risen to international prominence. Representing Lake County were Ashley Marsh, Brooke Sikora, Mikhia Massey, Ava Barnes, Amy Tomassian, Allison Carter and Ava Brittian Pike—most of whom train with Epic Twirl, a local program founded and directed by Cheri Howard.
(From left to right – Ava Barnes, Mikhia Massey, Amy Tomassian, Brooke Sikora, Ava Brittan Pike, Allison Carter and Ashley Marsh were Lake County twirlers who competed in Italy.)
Twirl Florida originated when the Sundancers Baton Twirlers of Lake Nona qualified for the 2023 World Championships in Liverpool, England. Since then, the team has evolved into a collaboration of athletes from across the state, including programs such as Lake County’s Epic Twirl, Port St. Lucie’s M & M Sweeties, and independent performers.
(UCF majorettes Brooke Sikora and Mikhia Massey both from Lake County and now twirlers for UCF football on Saturday’s.)
In their first year as a combined team, Twirl Florida earned a silver medal. Building on that momentum, the program grew to 27 athletes under the leadership of directors Lynette Starkey and Howard. The expanded team welcomed additional programs, including Rhapsody Baton and Solid Gold Twirlers, while strengthening its coaching staff.
At the 2025 championships in Italy, Twirl Florida earned two silver medals and one bronze. The event showcased these amazing athletes’ dedication, teamwork and artistry on the world stage.
(The team not only got to compete but also got to explore the beautiful country of Italy.)
“We are so proud of these athletes,” Coach Howard says. “They’ve worked tirelessly, and to see them shine among the best in the world is an incredible honor for our program and our community.”
Coach Cheri Howard is a coach from EPIC Twirl in Lake County. This local twirl organization is the perfect way to get into the sport.
Looking ahead, new classes are forming for both Epic Twirl and Twirl Florida. Families interested in enrolling their children in baton twirling are encouraged to contact Howard for more information or visit their website here:
Twirl Florida extends its gratitude to the Lake County community and the sponsors whose support helped make the international journey possible.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
