Iowa State University Athletics
Meet the Cyclone Gymnasts: Emily White
11.23.2016 | Athletics, Gymnastics
AMES, Iowa – Saying that Emily White is team player would be an understatement. The Winston-Salem, North Carolina native thrives as a part of team, both at the club level and now at Iowa State. Her love for both gymnastics and her team will make her an integral part of the Cyclone family in the 2017 season.
White began practicing gymnastics at a young age, and has worked hard to improve throughout her career. The freshman had plenty of support from her family, friends, and coaches as she worked her way to a scholarship at Iowa State.
"My parents and my club coach, Buddy Thorburn, were my biggest supporters back home," White explained. "My mom put me in gymnastics when I was two-years old. She was in gymnastics in high school, so I think she put me in it because she knew the benefits of it. My parents always drove me to and from practice and would help me out with what I needed for the sport, like physical therapy. My coach, Buddy, was the one who got me recruited here. He made all the calls, I owe him my my collegiate career."
The freshman practiced at the club level for 11 years under Thorburn at High Point Gymnastics Academy. She earned several honors during her club career, including earning second place on floor at the 2013 North Carolina State Competition and qualifying for the 2013 Junior Olympic National Competition. When asked about her greatest achievements, she cited two important honors.
"My two greatest achievements in gymnastics include getting a full-ride (scholarship) here and winning the National Invitational Tournament beam title in 2014," she explained. "I've faced few challenges getting here, but the biggest one was tearing my ACL and meniscus at the end of my junior year. I sat out my entire senior year. Coming back into it now, I have so much motivation just to be able to compete again. That's my whole drive."
Another huge drive for the freshman is the support and encouragement of her team, from when she was competing in club to practicing here at Iowa State.
"My club team back home was definitely my whole life," White expressed. "Gymnastics was just who I was. Growing up that way was hard but it's something I would never regret. They were my family. Now that I'm here at ISU, my favorite part of the program is my teammates. We're already so tightly knit, I know I can go to any member of the team and they'd help me. I can rely on any one of them."
Her excitement for the coming season is evident when she talks about her expectations and outlook for 2017.
"I'm really excited for the new experiences college gymnastics is going to bring," the freshman exclaimed. "I'm excited to compete on a team, since that's something I've never really been able to experience in club. We had teams, but it was definitely more focused on the individual. Being able to go with my team and be a part of all the meets in Hilton Coliseum this season is amazing."
White will participate in her first ever collegiate meet in Hilton Coliseum shortly after the New Year. The first meet of the season will be a home "Beauty and the Beast" against Arizona State on Jan. 6.
Players Mentioned
