Monday, August 7, 2006

Writer:  Jason Peevy, 706/542-8136, peevy@uga.edu
Contact:  Candy Byrd Roland, 706/542-1505, georgiaaux@aol.com

UGA Redcoat Band Majorette Line repeats at national championships

Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Redcoat Band Majorette Line won two national collegiate championships at competitions held July 21 at Notre Dame University.

The Redcoat Majorettes, led by captains Ashley Grant and Liza Pitts, won the USA and National College Halftime Show Team Championship for the second year in a row, as well as the National Collegiate Majorette Line Dance Twirl Championship.

The team won two large dynasty traveling trophies and $2,500, according to Candy Byrd-Roland, auxiliary coordinator for the Redcoat Band and majorette coach.

“These ladies did a phenomenal job representing the University of Georgia,” Byrd-Roland said. “They worked endless hours preparing for this competition and their hard work and dedication truly paid off.

“The Redcoat Majorettes have set a new standard for twirling on the collegiate level, and I am very proud of them,” Byrd-Roland said.

Byrd-Roland, a former UGA Feature Twirler (1992-96) and seven-time national champion, said, “Now we look forward to the nearing football season and performing in front of 95,000 Dawg fans.”

Team members include Meghan Banks of Elberton; Samantha Buxton of Gainesville, Fla.; Amy Demers of Lavonia; Cecilia Epps of Decatur; Amanda Farmer of Bowdon; Jessica Gabriel of Oglethorpe; Ashley Grant of Monroe; Sierra McBee of Jesup; Eden Phillips of Oglethorpe; Liza Pitts of Elberton; and Jessica Wilhite of Elberton.

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