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Beaumont, Texas– Southeast Texas is overflowing with talents of all different natures.  Today we go inside the gym to look at local gymnastics standout Emily McClelland from Beaumont, Texas.  We caught up with Emily at Beaumont Gymnastics Academy to discuss her current status, her future goals and the results of her latest major competitions. 

Emily is a 16-year old junior to be at Kelly High School in Beaumont. She’s been training in gymnastics since the age of 4.  Training for any gymnast carries the risk of injuries and Emily is no exception. She’s already endured two elbow surgeries in the past three years, and also had to overcome an extremely severe ankle sprain that kept her out of training and in a walking boot for 2 months. 

Despite this, she pushed hard to ready herself for the Level 9 Regional competition in Albuquerque, New Mexico. McClelland was released by her Doctor just 2 weeks prior to the regional competition and had to push through what she described as “painful training” to get in shape for a chance to move on. 

The competition in New Mexico was a success where she placed 2^nd on Vault, 3^rd on beam and 3^rd all around and was rewarded with a trip to Des Moines, Iowa for the national gymnastics competition called “The Westerns.” The Westerns has over 500 gymnasts (only regional finalist) from 24 states that compete to be named national champion. Emily shined at her favorite event, the vault, placing 3^rd.  She finished 7^th on the beam and a very respectable 10^th overall. 

Since the Westerns, Emily has moved on to her next level of competition, a Level 10 gymnast, which happens to be the highest level a gymnast can reach before the Elite Olympic level.  Emily’s passion definitely does not come without sacrifice.  Unlike most gymnasts she attends school full time and then it’s off to the gym from 4 to 8:30 every day.  Saturday’s leave no rest for the weary as she gets in 3 more hours of training in the morning. 

“It can get very stressful to juggle both school and gym but it’s a price I am willing to pay for the sport I love. Most kids get to go out with friends and go to football games and well that’s not the case for me, my friends are at the gym,” said McClelland.  “I practically grew up with them and they are like a second family to me. Even though sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a “normal” kid I would never give up my life as a gymnast and I never regret one minute of it.” 

There is little doubt who Emily looks up to as a mentor when training for the next level.

“My mentor I guess would have to be my coaches,” she said. “They are all great. My head coach is Coach Debbie Allport and she has supported me through everything she is the best coach I could ever ask for. I am also coached by Janna McClelland and Brad Pfleegor and they have both always been there for me and they are amazing.”

It seems clear that as long as Emily has people who care for her as much as her coaches there may be no stopping her as she reaches for her ultimate goal. 

“My dream/goal is to do college gymnastics. I love this with all my heart and I want to continue with it. I am now training at level 10 so I am going to start sending in videos to colleges this year, and I’m going to do everything I can and work extremely hard. I am not going to give up. I want to reach my goal.“ 

 Emily’s favorite gymnast is Mary Lou Retton and Coach Allport has always called her “Little Mary Lou.” She’s also a big fan of former World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson.  

Keep your eyes on the world of Gymnastics in the next couple of years Southeast Texas. Remember the name Emily McClelland.  You could very well have your own Olympic representative if things go the way we hope it will. 

Click here to discuss this topic in the Other HS Sports Forum 

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