1. Name, Age, Hometown
Emily Holmes-Hackerd, 13, Bedford, Mass.
2. Do you have a nickname?
Em.
3. In what cities do you train and go to school?
I train in Burlington and I go to school in Lexington.
4. When and why did you first become interested in gymnastics?
When I was really little, I always had a lot of energy. I did taekwondo and was really flexible. We tried out gymnastics and I could already do a kick when I was four so we stuck with it.
5. Do you have any good/funny memories from when you first started taking gymnastics classes?
When I was around 4 or 5-years-old, my gym moved me up to the team from the toddler gym. I was so little that I got stage fright and wouldn’t move. I would just stand in the middle of the floor.
6. When did you decide you wanted to compete? And, when did you want to compete on the elite level? What about competition appeals to you?
Through taekwondo, I was already familiar with competition so I didn’t really think about the difference. I like the incentive of having to get things right in that moment of competition.
7. What is your training regimen? Was that a big change when you made the switch to competitive gymnastics?
Five nights a week, I train from 5-9 p.m.; on weekends I go from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.’ and two mornings a week, I train from 7:30 -11 a.m. Getting into the morning practices was a bit tough.
8. What is your favorite event?
Floor exercise.
Is there a reason for that?
I just like to have fun on the floor. I’m good at tumbling and I just really like it.
9. What is your favorite skill?
A double pike.
Can you describe that to me?
It’s where you do a round off, followed by a back handspring and two flips in the air.
10. What music do you use for your floor routine?
It’s a mix of two kinds of music; very mysterious and dark sounding.
11. Who is your favorite gymnast or who is your “idol”?
Aly Raisman.
Why is that?
I train beside her every day.
12. How have you grown as a gymnast during your career, both skill wise and mentally?
I got newer and harder skills and building confidence on those skills.
13. How has gymnastics helped you as a person?
It’s helped me with discipline and respecting people above you.
14. If you had to select one life-lesson that gymnastics has taught you, what would it be?
Never give up.
15. What are your biggest accomplishments or best memories in your career?
I made to Level 9 Eastern (Championships) and I won floor there.. I also won Level 9 Regionals and Level 9 State.
16. What grade are you in school, and where do you go to school?
8th grade. I go to Lexington Christian Academy.
17. Do you want to compete in collegiate gymnastics?
Yes.
18. What are your favorite subjects, etc.?
Science and English.
19. If you plan to go to college, do you know what you want to study there?
I want to be a vet, so I want to study that.
20. What are your goals for the future, both as an athlete and after you are finished competing?
I want to be like Aly because she won the team (gold medal) in London and did really well in London.
21. When you’re not in the gym, how do you enjoy spending your time? Do you have any hobbies or favorite activities? Charities?
I like to draw, do nails and play piano. I also like to have sleep-overs with my friends. I also coach in the Special Olympics and work with the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
22. What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti
23. What is your favorite movie?
“High School Musical 3”
24. What is your favorite book?
The “Harry Potter” books
25. What is your favorite music group?
The Zac Brown Band
26. Are any of your family members current or former athletes? Which sports?
My dad used to run marathons and do triathlons
27. Do you have any competition rituals? Lucky charms?
I always use the same amount of hair ties and the same amount of clips.
28. What’s on your IPod right now? What type of music do enjoy listening to? How about before a meet when you’re trying to get focused and pumped up?
I have pop music and country music on my iPod, but I don’t listen to music before I compete. Instead, my friends and I just talk and pump each other up.
29. If you had to pick 3 words to describe yourself as a gymnast, what are they?
Hard-working, confident, and determined.
30. What 3 words describe you as a person, not the gymnast?
Nice, funny, and smart.