Richie Terwilliger ‘15 is a mechanical engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense, supporting the U.S. Navy's Chemical, Biological and Radiological Defense Division.
He's also a world-class baton twirler, and will be one only three men representing the United States in the 34th World Baton Twirling Championships, August 2-5 in Kissimmee, FL.
Terwilliger, who has been twirling for 13 years, is a former New York State Men's Solo, 2-Baton and 3-Baton Champion and former Northeast Region Men's Solo and 3-Baton Champion. In addition, he has earned one gold medal, two bronze medals and multiple top ten medals in international competitions. This will be his fourth World Championships.
He credits his sister for getting him into the sport, as well as his training in martial arts. He said his science background is why the sport of baton intrigues him.
“You have to analyze the physics--how it's spinning and how you can actually correct for that,” he said. There's actually a correlation between people going to physics and engineering and succeeding in baton. Because it does take a tactical mindset to be able to correct things as best you can.”
Read the full story in the report from Washington, DC's WUSA-9 News.
