Lucas area cheerleader Emma Tomlin’s journey to becoming a world champion
LUCAS, Texas — A Q&A with Emma Tomlin who is a member of Cheer Athletics Fiercekatz and attends Lovejoy High School.
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Emma Tomlin: I’m blessed and humbled to say I’ve already accomplished some of my personal goals for my cheerleading career. I’ve been extremely blessed with the opportunity to compete with the best gym in the world for 4 years now. I’ve also always dreamed of making a world team, and this season I have accomplished that goal and competed on Cheer Athletics Fiercekatz. For little me to think about how I am competing on a world team at Cheer Athletics is crazy enough. I’ve won some of the most prestigious competitions in the industry, but my ultimate goal is to win the Cheerleading Worlds and become a World Champion.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Tomlin: The biggest challenge in my sport is definitely the mental aspect of cheer. I like to describe it as a switch. The second something doesn’t go right or there’s a bad practice, it seems like everything just shuts down and you get inside your head. This is definitely something I struggle with constantly. I like to manage this by trusting in my training and believing in myself that I can do hard things.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Tomlin: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to continue to trust the process because everything is a part of God’s plan for my life. This has stuck with me for a long time now and is something I remember when times get hard. I believe that everything is happening for a reason and that it will all work out in the end.
Do you have a saying or motto you like to live by?
Tomlin: The saying I love to live by is “All glory to God”. This is something I write on my wrist for every single competition, along with Philippians 4:13. I use this as a reminder of my strength. This stands out to me because where I am at today is all because of Him. I wouldn’t have accomplished the things I have today or come this far if it wasn’t for God. So because of God, I owe everything to him. He deserves all the Glory!
What do you love about your sport?
Tomlin: The thing I love most about cheerleading is the feeling you get when you’ve accomplished your goals after everything you’ve been through. For a whole year we train to perfect our routines and for the countless hours in the gym to pay off is a worthwhile feeling. Winning some of the world’s most prestigious competitions is a feeling I can’t put into words. Finally reaching your dream after all the hard work feels indescribable. I also love the bonds I’ve made from cheer. Through this sport, I have made some of the best friends imaginable who play such an important role in my life. These bonds are like no other and I can’t put into words how incredibly thankful I am to have these friends.
Do you play in college? If not, would you like to? If you aren’t college-age yet, what are your college goals?
Tomlin: I definitely think cheering in college is a goal of mine. Thinking about getting to experience game day sounds so fulfilling!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Tomlin: I’ve been doing all-star cheer for 7 years now and it’s been the experience of a lifetime. I’ve become a 2x Summit and 2x NCA champion and plan to keep training to reach more glory.
Where do you go to school?
Tomlin: I am currently a junior at Lovejoy High School.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Tomlin: Outside of my sport, I love hanging out with my friends and spending time with them. I also love to go shopping and go on fun car rides while listening to music.
How would you describe your personality?
Tomlin: I would describe my personality as quiet when you first meet me, but then fun and outgoing once you get to know me. I would say I’m shy on the outside but once I’m with people I know I love to have a good time.
What is your favorite snack food?
Tomlin: I love spicy snacks and my favorite is Takis.
What is your favorite song or music artist to get you ready for a game?
Tomlin: I love listening to Taylor Swift and One Direction when getting ready for a competition. They are some of my ultimate favorite artists with the best music to sing and dance to.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Tomlin: Superstitions are a big thing in cheer. I’ve got many whether it’s something big or small. I like to eat the same breakfast and always have an energy drink. I listen to the same music each time getting ready. I visualize my routine by closing my eyes and playing my team’s music before I leave the house. I always eat a bag of “lucky peanuts” walking to warm-ups at the competitions. And I always pray to myself backstage right before we compete. There are definitely other tiny superstitions but those are some of the main ones.
What has being a member of your team taught you?
Tomlin: Being a member of my team has taught me to push through the hard times. There have been many hard practices we’ve been through. But I know at the end of the day it’s helping us become our best selves and reach our goals.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Tomlin: There’s one particular coach I’ve had and she is one of my biggest supporters. She always reminds me of my worth and talent when I need to hear it most. She always tells me to not get in my head and to remember how strong of an athlete I am.
Describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it.
Tomlin: There was one time at a competition when I didn’t throw my tumbling pass because it was something I struggled with mentally. I beat myself up about it most of the time, but I knew I had my coaches, parents, and teammates who believed in me and my ability to do my pass. So, the next day at the competition I threw my pass with no struggle because I knew I had people who believed in me which helped me believe in myself.
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