DATE: Sunday, October 26, 1997              TAG: 9710260149

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: PAUL SOUTH

                                            LENGTH:   50 lines

TINY TOWN IS BUZZING OVER 12-YEAR-OLD LINE DANCERS

A tiny college town of 2,300 on the banks of the Meherrin River, Murfreesboro has a Georgia-Pacific plant and Carroll Foods, a hog operation. It's also home of an annual Watermelon Festival.

That may not seem like much to brag about. But thanks to a couple of 12-year-old girls, this sedate little town may be able to kick up its heels about a fresh-faced pair of world champions.

Angela Holdsworth and Cassie Bryant are prodigies in the popular practice known as country line dancing. And with nimble feet and a little luck, they may compete next year in the World Championships in Knoxville, Tenn.

Most of us got our first look at line dancing in the movie ``Urban Cowboy,'' with John Travolta and Debra Winger. But line dancing has been the country choreography craze of the '90s. It's a popular pastime for adults in honky-tonks and clubs.

But Holdsworth and Bryant, though not old enough to buy a beer, have the competitive line dancing community in these parts buzzing.

Competing in the novice division, Holdsworth captured overall titles at competitions in Hampton, Va., and in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Bryant was second overall in Hampton but has beaten the United Country Western Dance Council World Champion in the pre-teen division.

Amazingly, both have been dancing for only about a year.

The reason for their success, Cassie said, is a mystery.

``Once you get out there, it's so much fun, and it's easy. I reckon you have to be a certain type of person. It's just something you've got to love.''

Love is probably as good an explanation as any for the girls' success. But the bottom line for all of it is hard work. They take formal instruction two days a week in Newsome and Franklin, Va., from instructor Phyllis Casper. At home, the two work with help from Angela's mother, Betty. All told, they practice about 20 hours a week.

While some parents may throw up a red flag when thinking about 20 hours of work, coupled with school, Betty Holdsworth said the girls have learned about dealing with success, and failure.

``I think they learn a lot about sportsmanship, and how to treat other people with respect,'' Betty Holdsworth said. They also have developed a lot of confidence in themselves. But they still know how to be kids.''

They may be kids, but dancing is a big business, especially for the makers of hats and boots.

``It usually costs about $150 to $200 an outfit,'' Holdsworth said. ``Boots are about $150, and hats about $50. There's also entry fees and motels and eating. But it's worth it.''

All the gold and glitter aside, Angela Holdsworth competes for one reason only: ``I just love to dance.''

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