September 2, 2009

Purdue Golden Girl wins highest national honor for twirling

Golden Girl
MerrieBeth Cox
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That's when she picked up her first baton, inspired by a cousin who was a twirler. By age 7, she was winning national awards. And she's still winning.

Cox, a sophomore who is beginning her second year as Purdue's Golden Girl, is the Miss Majorette of America, a title she won during the American Youth on Parade National Majorette Contest this July at the University of Notre Dame. She also took the "Wow" collegiate award for personality.

"I've wanted this since I was 3," said the 19-year-old native of Roselle, Ill., about becoming Miss Majorette of America, the highest national award for twirlers. "Every twirler works toward this honor. I think it's a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other twirlers. Now I get to go to other competitions, wear my crown and sash, and talk to all the twirlers there and give them advice."

Cox's words of wisdom might well be about rigorous training and perseverance. This summer, Cox practiced eight hours a day, seven days a week. With school in session, she still squeezes in two hours of practice five days a week.

"It's tiring, but I truly love it," Cox said. "That's why I do it. Many people look at it as work, but I think of it as a lot of fun."

Cox has mastered the art of communicating her enjoyment with her audience – with the Wow collegiate award for personality serving as evidence. The prize is given each year to the twirler who most fires up the crowds.

"When I twirl at a competition, it doesn't look like I'm competing or I'm in it just for the trophy," Cox said. "The judges can see that I truly love doing it.

"Several people have told me that I'm very enjoyable to watch and that I'm entertaining, flashy and fun."

Alisha Kuckartz, Cox's coach at Purdue, agreed.

"MerrieBeth is a very dynamic and confident performer," said Kuckartz, who has been coaching Purdue twirlers for the past 10 years. "She's also very versatile in incorporating fast solo-type twirling along with gymnastics and dance. So it's very interesting for the audience to watch her."

As she concentrates on the present, Cox also is looking to the future. She's a math education major in Purdue's College of Science and wants to teach high school math after she graduates. She also wants to be a high school cheerleading and baton coach.

"When I was growing up, I knew I wanted to be a teacher," she said. "I decided in high school that I wanted to teach math because it is easy for me and I was always a year ahead in math."

Besides twirling and teaching math, Cox is passionate about gymnastics, dance and cheerleading.

"I love sports," she said. "I've played basketball and volleyball and loved playing football with my cousins and my dad."

She also is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and enjoys spending time with her fellow sorority sisters, she said.

Cox chose Purdue for its reputation in science education and because in the baton community, the university is well known for respecting and taking care of its twirlers, she said.

"Purdue has been very supportive," Cox said. "The Purdue twirlers and some alumni were there at Notre Dame cheering me when I needed to be cheered. I've also gotten great support from the band. Whenever I need anything, a band member is always there for me."

So what can Purdue spectators expect from Miss Majorette of America during the upcoming football season?

"Because my twirling has improved, hopefully I'll be able to show the crowd my skills and they'll enjoy it," Cox said. "The 'Wow' award is all about getting people off their seats and getting them to scream and shout for you and support the band. I hope I can get Ross-Ade to do that."

Writer: Soumitro Sen, 765-496-9711, ssen@purdue.edu

Sources: MerrieBeth Cox, 630-388-8189, cox4@purdue.edu

Alisha Kuckartz, 765-494-9115, alishak@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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