Performing for 100,000 roaring fans at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is no easy feat, but it’s something freshman Gracie Williams has become acquainted with as the 35th Feature Twirler for the University of Texas at Austin. 

Williams has spent ten years training under the Carolina Superstars, as well as at a local small college in South Carolina, and has now entered the collegiate level.

Feature twirler coach and Texas alumna, Whitney King Coons, said that despite her experience level, nothing could truly prepare Williams for the first time she heard her name announced at DKR. Her first time taking the field at the Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas would be even more daunting, surrounded by 92,100 cheering and yelling fans in burnt orange and crimson.

Twirling at one of the biggest games in college football sounds intimidating and nerve-wracking, but for Williams, the experience was more than just that.  

“When we were parading into the stadium, all the OU fans were booing and giving us the horns down,” Williams said. “Which just made it even more fun, because I’m just here for a good time.”

Coons has officially trained Williams for nearly three months. However, while recruiting for the next University feature twirler, she watched Williams grow as an athlete throughout her high school career.

“If I had to choose one quality I admire most, it would be her confidence,” Coons said. “She knows herself well, communicates her ideas clearly and balances that self-assurance with humility, open-mindedness and genuine teamwork.”

On top of getting to perform during the Red River game, Williams also got the chance to meet some figures she admired, including sophomore quarterback Arch Manning, freshman wide receiver Parker Livingstone and UT alumnus Glen Powell.

“(Meeting all those people) is a really great opportunity that I get,” Williams said. “Just being able to go to all the away games, I know a lot of people don’t get that opportunity, so I love being able to see the different stadiums and different environments, and that in itself, is just really cool.”

In future Red River games, Williams hopes to perform bolder and more complicated routines, something that Coons said she’s pushed Williams to do to help her reach her fullest potential. 

Though Williams is experienced, she struggled to perform at her absolute best when she initially stepped into the position and in high-pressure games.

“Naturally, she was nervous before her first game day, but she performed beautifully.” Coons said. “By the second game, she elevated her performance and incorporated more challenging tricks! Her confidence grew, her nerves faded, and it was clear this stage was meant for her.”

With her first Red River game in the books and the fact that Williams will maintain her position for the next four years, this is truly just a stepping stone. Williams hopes that with each gameday, these opportunities will allow her talents to flourish.

Editor’s Note: This article was been corrected to clarify Williams’ previous experiences. The Texan regrets this error.