Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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27g:| PEOPLE Stepheiuont Lindsay Steward. DarU Stoburg, Peggv Stone, Benjamin Stull, Lisa Stumme, Lori Summers, Lori Svottoda. Lesley Swearingin, Tracy Swedberg, Sarah Swope, Corey Sychra, Tami Tague, Troy Talone, Nick Tamprateep, Jenna Tapps, Tyler Terry, Stephen Teutsch, Amy Tlieulen, Stacy Thomas, Janson Thomas, Scott Thomas, Stephanie Thompson, Jason Thomsen, Sara Tindall, Jamie Tmker-Fortel, Lillian Todd, Aaron Toebben, Julie Townley, Joanna Tripp, Kathleen Trower, Angela Turner, Lewis Twombly, Tiffany Umscheid, Amanda Van Buskirk, Emily Van Dusseldorp, Katie Vance, Barbara Vandermillion, Robert Verbeck, Mary Vescovo, Laura Vmci, Amber Vo er, Heather VoDtmann, Brittni Vorm, Lindsey Vorthmann, Cassi Vostrez. Liz Wagenknecht, Rainett Waldo, Nick Walker. EmUy Walker, Jestica Wallace, Sarah WaUer. Charles Wasson, Dustin Wataon, Nicht as Watu, Kylie Weaver, Lindsey Webb, Fak hn Wcis. Kimberiy Weis, Marcia Wcstlake, Aaron Whiaton, Jennifer While, Kecly Wicker, Rence Wieac.Cara WiUt, Jami Wilfred. Shalini Wilkinson, Leslie Williams, Adina Williams, Amber Williams, Bctay F i ' P-i ' ; I It ISBS 1

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Shull. Ptullip Sirfmng, Krrra Siimi. Heather Sfc4m, Peter Smith. Con South. )eiuiiicr • Krv a Smith. unAmf Smrth. Mtru»a« Smith. SfeplkMur Snv rr. Nlchofa SolcmKm. Amiwr 3 SVprt« LMI t •i«nM.RarM CAMPBEL 1:277

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An age of success twirling to a close I H he haniwocid floor, scufiied and worn, was as much a( a testament to her success as the awards and trophies towenng abov e. Kachd Crawibrd ' s home studio told of a life of tu-trling that began when she was 2 yeats old. She attributes part i her accompluthments to her sister Elisabeth, who also twiHcd. l would twc have dwien twirling if it hadn ' t been kjr my sisto; ' Ciawibid Mid. Ii is much easier to excel when you have someb o d y to watch. Smce the agt of five, Qawfeid and her sister attended r wirling leanra in Dallas, something Ciawfocd sti II does rqpilariy. Qtowing up with a sister who panicipated in the same sport did not produce rivalry for Ciawford. We both have our own styles, Qawfofd said, e iiT to leam from eadt othet ' Since 1985, Ciawfeid had competed in a week-long ranonal twirling competition at h4otie Dtvne University. Site has placed in the top five on an araunl bsHS and has been one of the top petformcn in state competition. To shaipen her skil b, Crawford bepm ballet, the titness program Piiates, other cardiovascular workouts nd weight lifting. To tram mentally, she visualized her routine , watched video and tried to buiU confidence in her abilities. The demand for maintaining a competitive edge and the wutkload of a college education made Crawfatd Lfuestian her twirling career. Anybody that is at the stress level when you ' re at the top level, it ' s always hard, Crawford said. Maintaining that (position) becomes more difficult year by year. Whenever she thought about giving it up, Crawford thou t about the years of practice and the support her family gave her. I thought about quitting several times, Crawford said. But I always think about the amount of time and money my family and I have devoted to twirling. When it came time to decide on a college, Crawford chose the closeness of her fomily in Maryville over institutions elsewhere. Going to early-morning practice, attending competitions and going to lessoas without my family support system was a drawback to attending college away from home, Crawfbtd said. While at Northwest, Ctawfoid enjoyed performinK at collegiate ftxxball and baiiketball games. Here, the crowd is wortdetfiil, Crawfbid said. They are really supportive. With only two yean of NCAA eligibility left, Crawford knew her days were numbered. The beiwfits of her twirling, such a a good work ethic and physical fitness woukj continue to assist her in the future. When Crawford decided to leave twirling, she woukJ have a lot to show for it. Shelves of trophies and awnd served as a reminder of a talented and MCoeMfol poK. RflCtlEL CMWfORD ■iiiMlJHNMikiR 5T Dflnnr mm finD Qom sfinciifz Housed in her practice room, Rachtl Crawford ' s coundatt commcndaciont coww the walls. ' I would have not chosen twirling if it weren ' t for my sister, Crawford said, photo by Ttrryn Undtty ' 0 CRAWFORD .11 ' )