Sports Spotlight - West Orange Times & Observer: Emma Wagner

Emma Wagner has been an athlete for Foundation Academy the last three years in track and soccer and has become a leader for the Lions. Wagner, who is home-schooled, won a district title in 2017 in the 400-meter dash and is hoping to build upon that success and make it to State.  Wagner intends to become a professional photographer.

How did you settle on the 400-meter dash as your race?

It’s kind of just the one that I’m good at — I kind of have a love/hate relationship with it. Last year was the year that I finally started to understand how to pace myself well and Coach (Andrew Walker) has really helped me to work on my form and understand how to run it.

How do you view leadership being that you’re a senior?

I think it’s definitely heightened as a senior, the leadership aspect. The younger girls for soccer, as well as for track, really look up to you. (Because) we’re a smaller and growing program … you have to be a good teammate, and you have to be accountable. You have to show how to get better, more so than talk (about it).

Of which accomplishment are you most proud?

I won districts in track last year, so that was really fulfilling and motivating to try and get better.

What’s your goal the rest of the way this season in track?

I’d really like to win districts and place top two in regionals, so I can go on to State.

You do photography at Foundation Academy’s football games. What do you enjoy the most about that?

All the guys have become my brothers — so I just love hanging out with them, and I’m definitely going to miss that a lot.

Which football game has been the most memorable?

That’s pretty hard — there’s been a couple. When they won the district two years ago, that motivated me as an athlete to try and play better, because all the guys played really hard. This season, I think the Northside (Christian) game — that was a really tight game.

What got you interested in photography?

I always thought doing film was really interesting, so I started doing that. This year, I got a DSLR camera, and started playing around with that, so that kind of opened up more doors to take photos. My mom is a really good photographer, so she’s helped me.

What’s your dream job?

Engagement and wedding photography. One, it makes a lot of money if you’re good at it. But I also think it’s just kind of cool.

What’s your favorite restaurant in this area?

Winter Garden Pizza Company is really good. My go-to dish is definitely the pepperoni pizza — you can’t go wrong.