Alexa Paino, a 12-year-old rising eighth grader at St. Mark's Catholic School in Vienna, heads to Paris as the youngest member of Team USA's twirling squad for the 2026 World Freestyle and Rhythmic Twirl Competition beginning Wednesday, Aug. 5.

The event, which the U.S. Twirling Association calls "the twirling equivalent of the Olympic Games," runs through Sunday, Aug. 9, with athletes from 25 countries competing.

Paino earned her spot in March at the Junior Women's Rhythmic Twirl U.S. Trials, where she competed against 15 girls aged 12 to 17. She made the top six for finals and placed fourth, qualifying as an alternate for the world team.

"Going into a competition against 15 girls aged 12 to 17, I didn't expect anything," Paino told the McLean Connection in a July profile. "But I made it to the top six for finals and then I placed fourth. I was just so surprised."

Her qualifying routine was a two-and-a-half-minute performance set to "Tomorrow" from the musical Annie, judged by a panel with four additional judges beyond the standard competition format.

A second-generation twirler

Paino is a second-generation twirler. Her mother, Mandy Paino of Vienna, competed as a young person before retiring at 18. Mandy took Alexa to her first practice at age two, and by three, Alexa was competing.

The commitment is substantial. Alexa trains 22 hours a week with the Wheaton Dance Twirl Teams in Montgomery County, Maryland, a program sending two girls to Paris for the world championship. She travels from Northern Virginia to the studio three afternoons a week and completes homework in the car during the commute.

What Paris means

As an alternate, Paino would step onto the competition floor only if called upon by the team. She said she's ready either way, planning to cheer from the stands if she isn't competing.

Beyond the competition, Paino said she's looking forward to meeting friends from around the world and spending time with her mom in Paris.

Looking ahead, Paino plans to attend Bishop O'Connell High School and hopes to start a baton twirling team there. She called the sport "very overlooked" and wants to make it more available for others to try.

Coming up

Opening ceremonies for the 2026 IBTF World Freestyle and Rhythmic Championship take place Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6:30 p.m. Paris time, with competition running through Sunday, Aug. 9.