Emily Mackerley, an eighth grader at the Fallsburg Junior-Senior High School, has achieved more than most young, aspiring gymnasts could ever dream of. With a large collection of medals from regional and national competitions, she has become a rising star in the gymnastics world. But her journey to success at such a young age has not been without its challenges.
Emily was immediately drawn to the sport after watching her cousin compete in gymnastics competitions. Her mother, Shannon Mackerley, a former gymnast herself, encouraged Emily to pursue the sport. However, when she first started gymnastics, she found herself behind the other girls in terms of skill level. Many gymnasts who aim to compete at a high level begin training at a very young age. Despite this initial setback, Emily was determined not to let anything stand in her way.
With a strong combination of talent and perseverance, Emily quickly rose through the ranks in her gymnastics league. She skipped several levels while competing in both the Junior Gymnastics League and the Xcel program—one of the most prominent national-level gymnastics programs in the country. The Xcel program consists of six levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire. Emily is currently at the Diamond level and is striving to reach the ultimate Sapphire level.
However, her meteoric rise did come with challenges. She often found herself as the youngest gymnast in her competitions. “I think a lot of the problem was the age difference,” said Shannon Mackerley. “The girls on her team last year were 16 and 17, and she was 12 turning 13, so it was very difficult for her to compete with them.”
Like many gymnasts, Emily has also faced injuries. For over a year, she suffered from back spasms that made it extremely difficult to perform even basic routines. After countless doctor visits and months of physical therapy, she was finally able to return to competition. While the time away set her back, Emily saw it as a lesson in perseverance. “My back injury taught me that no matter what, you can do it,” she said.
In addition to reaching the highest level in the league, Emily hopes to earn an athletic scholarship and compete at the collegiate level, with schools such as Oregon State and LSU on her radar. However, she remains focused on advancing one step at a time. Setbacks are inevitable, but she views them as opportunities to grow and work harder. “Once I get to the competition, it’s all about just telling myself that it’s okay,” said Emily. “If I fall off the beam, it’s okay. If I do badly on bars, it’s okay. If I fall on the floor, it’s okay. And I think that’s what’s important—telling yourself it’s okay to fail. Because failure has led me to become a state champion.”