Dexter’s Kyla Brewer Named to Team USA

From Dexter High School (DHS) to Paris, France, Kyla Brewer is headed to the 2026 World Freestyle and Rhythmic Twirl Championship this summer, as part of Team USA.

She will be going up against some of the best baton twirlers from around the world as they compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in the twirling equivalent of the Olympic Games.

It was recently announced that Brewer, 15 and a freshman at DHS, earned a spot on Team USA by taking second place in the Junior Women’s Freestyle during the U.S. Trials, which was held on March 26-28 in South Carolina.

The Sun Times News (STN) caught up with Brewer to ask about this awesome news.

“I am so excited for this amazing opportunity to represent Team USA and perform at the World Championships,” she said. “My freestyle routine is very special to me because it incorporates elements of both my ballet and baton twirling. I have been working very hard on it all year and it is going to be really fun to go to Paris and show off my hard work to the entire world.”

This event isn’t about the twirling majorettes of the 1950s and 60s. Brewer and her fellow competitors combine both athleticism and artistry, demonstrating many of the same skills and qualities as Olympic runners, gymnasts and figure skaters.

“The members of Team U.S.A. are gifted athletes who train with the dedication and determination of Olympians,” said Karen Cammer, president of USA Baton Twirling, which selects the athletes for Team U.S.A. “Twirling is an aerobic sport that combines athleticism with artistry and top twirlers must demonstrate many of the same skills as elite athletes in other sports: the speed of a sprinter, the hand-eye coordination of a hockey player, the artistry of a figure skater, and the flexibility and power of a gymnast.”

At DHS, Brewer is the feature twirler and participates in Model United Nations. She comes from a family of twirlers and has been twirling for 12 years.

In preparing for this summer’s event, which takes place August 5-9, Brewer is training daily at the University of Michigan (NCRB/IM Sports Buildings) and Dexter Wellness Center. She is continuing to work with her ballet teachers at Ballet Chelsea and her strength and conditioning coach. She’s also travelling to multiple competitions to get critiques from the judges and implement their feedback.

There’s been a lot of commitment and dedication put into this by her, and it’s something she’s had help and support along the way.

STN asked her about this and who she is thankful for.

She said she wants to thank Kyle Keiser for helping her bring the artistry to life in her program and being a lifelong mentor, and the Ballet Chelsea for helping her with technical training and the inspiration for her routine as well as the patrons and staff at the Dexter Wellness Center and University of Michigan for sharing gym space with her and allowing her to train, and Rebel Athletics for Being a Team USA sponsor. 

A big part of her support is closer to home with her family. She said they have always been there with a helpful hand.

“I am so grateful for the support of my family and coaches, especially my mom and Aunt Tiffany as they have taken so much of their time to train me and they have always been there for me when I needed a hug,” Brewer said.

Photo 1: Kyla Brewer named to Team USA. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Twirling Association