Friends Jacquelyn Yates and Emma McLean have had a lot of experiences together at Stars & Stripes Activity Center and on Nov. 12 they added one more.
They both signed their letters of intent to continue their gymnastics career at the college level.
Yates, a Clarkston High School senior, signed to go to Western State University while McLean, a Notre Dame Preparatory High School senior, is heading to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan.
‘I am super excited,? Yates said. ‘I always wanted to do college gymnastics. I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go but I definitely knew it was going to be somewhere. Western is kind of close it isn’t too far.?
She chose Western Michigan University because of the school and the gymnastics team.
‘All of the girls were welcoming and nice,? she added. ‘I felt like I fit in with them.?
McLean always wanted to go to Michigan because her parents attended the school.
‘I was pretty excited,? she smiled. ‘It was a dream come true. Once I realized they were looking at me for gymnastics it was like ‘this could happen.? I started working harder in the gym and it happened. It was exciting for my family and myself.?
Both were excited they were able to share the special day with friends, family and each other.
‘It is unique,? Yates added. ‘It was a sad moment, too, because we have been together for so long. I am very happy for Emma.?
‘It was pretty special,? McLean said. ‘She is like my sister. It was exciting because we accomplished our goals together. We made this journey together.?
Yates began gymnastics when she was five-years-old.
‘My neighbors had a playground and I was always hanging on the bars and flipping around,? she explained.
She was placed into gymnastics to continue and it grew from there. She kept with it for the past 12 years because it was always fun and she enjoyed it.
‘Once I knew I was good and had the ability to go far I kept it going in my mind it made me want to go far,? she said.
McLean began when she was two-years-old beginning with a Mommy and Me class.
‘I loved it so my mom never took me out of it,? she said, adding she liked the challenge. ‘Gymnastics is a pretty difficult sport. You work hard and then you get a reward at the end of the season when you compete. I liked the reward I got from it. I love my teammates. I have been with the girls since I was seven-years-old. You create lasting friendships with them.?
Yates plans to go into the exercise science program and added she would like to go into sports medicine, physical therapy, athletic training or kinesiology.
‘Gymnastics has been a huge part of my life and I am athletic,? she said. ‘I am in the environment already so I wanted to continue it.?
McLean plans to study kinesiology.
‘I want to learn more about the body, more about how to prevent injury. I want to become a trainer for gymnasts or something in the sport,? she explained. ‘I have experienced a lot in gymnastics so I know a little bit about the sport.?
Gymnastics has made a big impact on their lives but also going to Stars & Stripes since they were children has impacted them as well.
‘They shaped me as a person,? Yates explained. ‘I have more respect. I am more determined to come home and do homework. I have more motivation to get stuff done. One of my biggest things is making every moment count. Plus, putting your effort into everything. They have impacted my life a lot.?
McLean added Stars & Stripes taught her to believe in herself.
‘It’s important you know what your priorities are,? she said. ‘You can’t get caught up in little things that aren’t important.?
Both shared their advice to aspiring athletes and gymnasts. Yates said to push through.
‘There are going to be times you are exhausted or just don’t want to do it ? you have to push through those times because it will get better,? she explained. ‘Keep focusing on your goals and what you want to do. Keep the positive outlook.?
‘I always tell myself and my teammates to set goals high and work hard then there will be nothing to stop you,? McLean encouraged.