Edina senior's goal: all-around medal at state

Emily Guimont has been tumbling and vaulting for 16 years.

So it's completely understandable that the Edina senior sounds wistful about her life as a competitive gymnast, which will likely come to a conclusion in less than two weeks, at the 2012 state meet.

"Sadly, gymnastics is not in my college plans," said Guimont, who won the balance beam and finished second in the floor exercise, vault and all-around competitions at Saturday's Class 2A, Section 6 meet.

"Gymnastics has been a really big part of my life," Guimont said. "I'm really sad that it's almost over. Hopefully, I'll end with a great meet."

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked to Guimont about a senior season that has lived up to her expectations and more.

Q With the results you've had thus far, it seems this has been a pretty good season.

A It has gone really well. Better than I expected. I set some goals for myself and so far I've reached those goals.

A I set school records in the

floor exercise and the uneven bars and I re-broke my own school record in the all-around. I'm really excited to have accomplished those goals.

Q It's got to feel pretty nice to know that when you come back to school in, say, five years, your name will still be listed in the school record books.

A To see my name up on the board in the gym for people to see and strive toward or to motivate someone else to beat by records, that's a really cool thing.

Q You qualified for the state meet in every event. How did the rest of the team do?

Q What are your goals for the state meet?

A Last year I finished seventh in the all-around, which is just one [place] away from medaling. So getting a medal in the all-around is my goal.

Q Which events are your specialties?

A The uneven bars and the balance beam are my best.

Q Why?

Q What about the bars?

A I really like practicing the bars. I like flying around.

Q When did you give up club gymnastics?

A In ninth grade, I was injured. I was out for a whole year. When I was out, I had a lot of time off and I enjoyed the freedom and seeing my school friends more. So I gave high school gymnastics a try and I really liked it. And it gives me the chance to do other things.

Q What kinds of things?

Q Having been a gymnast for so long, what is one piece of advice you could pass along to younger gymnasts?