VERMILLION, S.D. | Sierra Johnson and Heather Egbert don't hesitate when asked to name their favorite season.
"Fall," they say in virtual synchronicity.
Fall isn't simply when the corn dries, the wind howls and frost begins forming on the windshield. No, autumn's also the time for football games, marching bands, homecoming dances and, well, Johnson and Egbert, featured twirlers at the University of Dakota.
These two USD students entertain up to 10,000 fans on many Saturdays inside and outside the DakotaDome, twirling one, two and three batons at a time.
"My mom was a feature (baton) twirler at Lincoln High in Des Moines and I carried that tradition on," says Johnson, a USD senior majoring in history and special education, both at the secondary level. "I also had an aunt who twirled for Lincoln High."
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Johnson grew up with a baton in her hands, switching one out nearly every year as she grew up. "The baton is supposed to be the length of your arm," she says. "So, as you grow, you get longer batons."
Johnson now has a set of field batons (those she works with in practice and in certain shows) and competition batons -- the glossy, shiny instruments that help her stand out during judged shows.
Egbert, who has amassed a collection of at least 15 batons, now has her twirling devices custom made, thanks to her 5-foot, 10-inch height. She's taller than the normal 30-inch baton.
"I need a baton that's 31 inches," she says. "So, mine are now custom made. I've kept my other batons and I let my students use them."
Both Johnson and Egbert work with aspiring baton twirlers in Yankton and Vermillion, respectively, as both try to pass on this fun fall rite.
Neither twirler would have landed at USD were it not for the baton openings that complement the Sound of USD, the 100-member marching band they help lead through tailgate parties, Dakota Days events, pregame shows and halftime performances inside the DakotaDome.
Additionally, these baton twirlers travel with the band on select occasions, generally doing one game per year on the road, be it at Kansas University, Kansas State University or the University of North Dakota.
Egbert, a native of Acton, California, has traveled with her baton to Disneyland in California for several shows. She also earned a national championship as a senior in high school, placing first in a competition at Notre Dame.
"My mom, who did not twirl, enrolled me in a twirling class when I was 9," she says. "I picked it up quickly and was competing by the time I was 10."
A friend from California who used to twirl at USD introduced Egbert to the school in Vermillion. The junior media and journalism major chose to come east to school as USD was affordable and had a twirling position available.
"I love USD," she says during a recent break in a football game. "The school is the perfect size and it offers twirling."
Both Johnson and Egbert dreamed of performing at the NCAA Division I level. Both have realized those dreams through continued hard work which includes practice sessions at 6 a.m. daily and separate practices three times a week with the marching band.
"We're one of few schools on the planet with twirlers," says Darin Wadley, USD director of percussion studies. "And we've got two great ones!"
"I knew I'd be coming here right away when I stepped on campus (during her visit to USD as a high school senior)," Johnson says. "The campus felt safe and it's gorgeous. I tried out with the band director at the time and met several members of the band. I knew USD was the perfect choice for me."
While their performances leave their fans dazzled, like any musician or student-athlete, there are missteps. Johnson, who also juggles fire, once singed her hair, which was up in a bun for a show. She also suffered a knee injury during a show last winter as USD hosted South Dakota State in men's basketball.
"I came out of a trick and went down," she says. "I dislocated my knee, tore tissue in my knee and sprained my MCL. I had help off the court from an amazing band dad."
Egbert sports athletic tape up and down her back. The tape, she says, offers a bit of help against the pain she feels during and after a show.
"I had a growth in my back removed when I was young," she says. "And I'm now missing two vertebrae. So, when I land a jump, there's a lot of pressure, or compression, on my spine."
Both say the pains are worth the gains, being able to race on the field at the DakotaDome each fall to entertain thousands of Coyote fans.
"I love football season," Johnson says. "Even though it's often cold, homecoming is my favorite day of the year."
