Gymnastics is a sport that requires an immense amount of skill and coordination. Emily Studenroth, a freshman at Lincoln-Way Central shares her journey to success with us. Making the team was a huge feat for Emily since she had been battling ankle issues and wasn’t able to practice gymnastics, what she loved most. So far, Emily has competed in two of three meets the team has gone to, being successful in both.

Prior to her career at Lincoln-Way, she trained at United Gymnastics Academy (UGA) in Frankfort, IL. She started taking classes there when she was just three years old but quotes, “I didn’t start actually taking gymnastics seriously until I was about ten. That’s when I really found my love for the sport.” Along her journey she is very grateful for all the people who support her such as her parents and her Lincoln-Way coaches: Kim Lago, Kory Thompson, and Shelby Wiktor. She states, “All of my coaches help me by giving me corrections on skills. They also cheer me on when I’m feeling skeptical about a certain skill. Without them, I don’t know where I would be today.”

Heading into the season, Emily felt nervous going into tryouts only knowing a few girls, but her nerves were totally for naught the moment she walked into the gym. When asked her favorite part of being on the team, she responded with, “My favorite part of being on the team is cheering everyone on, as they do the same for me. I love being able to see all of us working together and supporting each other no matter what. We are truly a family!” In the years to come, Lincoln-Way hopes to see Emily improve and make history for the Girls Gymnastics team at Lincoln-Way Central. Go Knights!