Whiz Kid: Emma Saftner

Name: Emma Saftner, 12

Year: Sixth grade

School: St. James

Accomplishment: Emma won first place for her all-around performance in her age group at the Level 6 state women's gymnastics competition at Hamburg Area High School in Hamburg, PA, Berks County. 

Key to Awesomeness: At age 12, Emma, of Sewickley, already has been a competing gymnast for three years. She competed at this level for the first time this year. She follows a rigorous training schedule at Carol Leone in Moon Township with her trainers Nat Williams and Sue Schaffer. 

All of her hard work paid off last weekend at the state competition when the  student won first place in the beam and floor exercises, as well as first place in the all-around performance for the 12-year-old age group.  The all-around performance is based on four events: vault, bars, beam and floor. 

Emma scored an 8.775 on the uneven bars, 9.275 on the balance beam, 9.325 on the floor exercise and a 9.0 on the vault.

“This is really exciting for our family. We are so proud of her hard work,” said Heather Saftner, Emma’s mother.

Emma’s 10 teammates joined her at the competition. They placed seventh as a team.