University of Iowa Marching Band officials announced incoming UI freshman Whittney Seckar-Anderson as the next Golden Girl of the Hawkeye Marching Band on Feb. 11.

The band held a tryout for three candidates in the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center. Each of the three — Seckar-Anderson and Maryland natives Brittany Frankel and Breanne Rowe — showcased her baton-twirling talents before a selection committee. The judges chose Seckar-Anderson in a unanimous decision.

"Whittney just had that extra sparkle, energy, and audience appeal that Iowa fans have come to expect," Kevin Kastens, the director of the Hawkeye Marching Band, wrote in an email to The Daily Iowan.

Seckar-Anderson hails from Oshkosh, Wis., and attended Oshkosh West High. Her family has a history of baton-twirling — both her mother and older sister were leading women in their college marching bands. Her mother, Julie, twirled at Mississippi; her sister, Lacey, was a featured twirler at Michigan State.

The newly crowned UI Golden Girl began twirling with her older sister when she was just 3 years old. She was named 2011 Teenage Miss Majorette of America, the highest title awarded at the 2011 National Championships of Twirling.

Kastens said he thinks Hawkeye fans will be pleased with the selection.

"The Iowa tradition of baton twirling excellence established by each of our previous Golden Girls will continue," he said.

Seckar-Anderson will replace departing Golden Girl Chelsea Russell, who held the position for four years.

— by Cody Goodwin