presented by: 
Our next 20 Questions Athlete is Emma Stoddard of Oakland Gymnastics in Novi, Michigan. Emma, who is a 2nd year Level 10, qualified to her 1st JO National Championships last year as a 1st year Level 10. Emma is a beautiful performer, I have always been very impressed with her floor and beam routines. In her floor she performs a 3 salto front tumbling pass, which is always fun and different to see as well as her drop split floor ending. However, I first truly noticed Emma for the first time at the 2018 Michigan State Meet, I loved her extension and presentation on the balance beam. There definitely was something about her split jumps and leaps that caught my eye. Emma, who’s doesn’t graduated until 2022 has many more years with us here in Region 5 and many more opportunities to make a return trip to the JO National Championships, for me Emma is one to watch. Let’s get to know Emma a little bit better as she heads towards the post season with a goal to qualify to her 2nd JO Nationals.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? I got into gymnastics because of my sister she was already in the sport of gymnastics so my parents thought it was a good idea for me to do it too I was 3.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event is bars.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? My favorite skill to train is a Jaeger.
Dream Skill? My dream skill is a Whitman vault.
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? My favorite part of gymnastics is when my
hard work pays off.
What college do you plan on attending? I am currently undecided on what college I will be attending.
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Why? My favorite meet is JO nationals because it’s so much more fun than a regular meet. I love hanging out with my teammates and competing for region 5.
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far? My biggest accomplishment in gymnastics is qualifying to JO nationals as a first year level 10.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? In the sport of gymnastics I admire Nastia Liukin.
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? My favorite Region 5 insider series or feature is coaches wired.
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Before meets I like to listen to any music that will pump me up.
3 Things you could not live without? I couldn’t live without my friends, family, and gymnastics.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? If I could be any 
animal I would be a stingray because I think they are so cool and they are my favorite animal.
5 Most Important or Must have Items in your gym bag? In my gymnastics bag I must have tape, pre wrap, tiger balm, headphones, and Aquaphor.
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? Before every meet I have to listen to Man Down by Rihanna.
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of gymnastics I like to hang out with my friends.
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? My most embarrassing moment in gymnastics is when I popped a blood vessel in my eye two days before JO nationals.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I wasn’t a gymnast I would try swimming.
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? I respect Ashton Locklear because she has a strong mentality no matter what gets in her way.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? The most valuable piece of advice my coach has given me is one skill at a time don’t rush you got this.
Bonus Question:Tell me something interesting about yourself…. Something interesting about myself is I like to make slime.
