As corona quarantine continues around the country, the world of Gymnastics may have stopped, but the media never rests! So, continuing  on, our next athlete 20 Questions athlete  has done it all! Emma Pritchard of Gym X-treme in Ohio, has qualified to multiple JO National Championships, the 2017 Nastia Liukin Cup, accepted a scholarship to continue her gymnastics career at The Ohio State University and became a beauty Queen! I have always really enjoyed watching Emma perform and she excels all over the gym, but what really stands out to me with Emma is her Floor routines! Some athletes keep the same theme, music type or style, but not Emma Pritchard. Emma’s routines have changed and evolved as she has changed and grown in her Gymnastics. From 2015-2019 Emma has gone from a bit slower, longer and elegant style in 2015 to a more mature sharp, fierce style in 2017 an then finishing it off in 2019 with a more fun upbeat dance style. It definitely has been fun watching Emma grow and change through her floor routines and I cannot wait to see what style her first college routine will be and being at OSU I am sure Meredith will make it a great one that plays to Emma strengths. So, as the Gymnastics community continues living room workouts and Zoom meetings, let’s get to know Emma a little better as she prepares for online graduation and a springtime full of social distancing. 

How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? ​My parents signed me up for a class at the YMCA when I was 18 months old.

What is your favorite event? My favorite events are beam and bars.

Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill is my double front dismount off bars.

Dream Skill? My dream skill is a front double full on floor.

What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part about gymnastics is traveling and making new friends with girl’s all over the country.

What college do you plan on attending? I will be attending The Ohio State University.

What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet to compete at is JO nationals because it is so great how region 5 comes together and is like a big family. It is the best atmosphere to compete in.

Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishments in gymnastics are making the JO national team, Region 5 All Star team and finishing in the top 10 at the Nastia Liukin Cup.

Who do you admire in the sport of Gymnastics? I admire Nastia Liukin

What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series is the All access.

What is your go to playlist or song before meets? My go-to song before meets is Return of the Mak

3 Things you could not live without? I could not live without :
1. Fruit
2. Family
3. Gymnastics

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any animal I would be a tiger because I think they are very fierce and courageous.

5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? The 5 most important must haves in my gym bag are: 
1. Grips
2. Leotard
3. Tape
4. Roller
5. Headphones

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? I eat the same dinner the night before every meet and I use the same ponytail holders every meet.

What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? I like to go shopping, hang out with friends and show my cows.

Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? I don’t have one.

If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I weren’t a Gymnast I would try tennis.

Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Simone Biles because she continues to evolve and make our sport more challenging.

What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice or wisdom I have received from my coaches would be “Champions aren’t made at meets, they’re made in practice”.

Bonus Question:​Tell me something interesting about yourself….I raise cattle.