All photos by: Oscar Herrera
There’s a flash of scarlet red and white streaking across the field at TDECU Stadium, or lighting up the hardwood at the Fertitta Center, and it’s not one of the UH cheerleaders. It’s Alexis Tanner, the University’s talented feature twirler, captivating crowds with her energetic routines.
But Tanner’s journey to becoming a UH Cougar began far from Houston.
Growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas, Tanner’s parents were determined to raise a well-rounded athlete. From softball and tennis to basketball and gymnastics, young Tanner dabbled in a variety of sports. But it was the dazzling twirling baton that truly stole her heart.
Picking up the baton at the tender age of six, Tanner has been mesmerizing audiences ever since.
Before twirling for the UH Cougars, Tanner honed her skills as a feature twirler at her undergraduate alma mater, the University of Texas San Antonio.
Now a graduate student pursuing a degree in mathematics, Tanner finds an artistic outlet in twirling, a perfect counterpoint to the analytical world of numbers. What truly sets Tanner’s experience apart at UH is the unparalleled support she receives.
“The reaction from everyone else, especially here I don’t know if it’s like that at any other school, but you have this very supportive environment, in every way,” Tanner said. “Faculty, students, the band, everyone is so supportive of me, which is something I had never really experienced.”
Tanner’s captivating stage presence is no accident.
“I make sure to make eye contact, wave back at them, just connect,” she said. “Because I remember when I was little watching, like parades and stuff, I always wanted people to notice me. So, I just make sure to kind of notice them and make them feel a little special.”
A typical game day for Tanner is a well-orchestrated performance. Weekends offer a more relaxed start but getting ready takes time.
“If it’s a school day, I am going to school and going to class with my full face of makeup on, which is a little embarrassing,” Tanner said. “I take a very long time to get ready, like three hours, because I don’t like to feel rushed. In case my hair isn’t working that day, I need the extra time just to feel safe about it.”
The 45-minute drive from The Woodlands to the stadium becomes Tanner’s pre-game zone. Arriving an hour and a half before pregame, Tanner prioritizes stretching and warming up.
“I kind of take that time to listen to music or if I’m doing a halftime routine, I’ll listen to that song I kind of just go through mental run-throughs,” Tanner said. “We do pregame and then we do just the timeout stuff like that. And if I’m doing halftime; before halftime, I’ll go out like off to the side and kind of go through the routine again. Just because I get extra nervous when I do halftime by myself.”
Tanner offered a glimpse into her pregame rituals before she performs. She adheres to a strict routine, relying on a Red Bull to maintain her energy levels. This focus on detail extends to her footwear. Since the leather soles can be slippery, she wets them before competing with a wet towel and uses liquid chalk to improve grip with the batons. This focus on maintaining grip highlights her awareness of the importance of every detail in achieving peak performance.
While twirling takes center stage, Tanner’s life extends beyond the dazzling routines.
“I enjoy working out,” Tanner said. “I like to draw, but I spend a lot of time on TikTok, I can’t even lie, I spend a lot of time just watching TikTok for decompression.”
Alexis Tanner is more than just a twirling baton; she’s a testament to dedication, Cougar spirit and the power of an encouraging environment. So next time you’re at TDECU Stadium or the Fertitta Center, keep your eye out for the flash of red and white – it’s Alexis, weaving a spell of Cougar pride with every twirl.
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