Flippin’ to Fame
Meet Erica Wong, star of the Stuyvesant girls’ stunt team!
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Name: Erica Wong
Grade: 12
Height: 5’2
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Date of Birth: 11/10/2006
How’d you get into stunt?
I originally wanted to join the cheer team and transitioned to stunt since you essentially learn the same skills you need for cheer (without the dancing and cheering). My older sister was also on the Brooklyn Tech stunt team, so I already had prior knowledge of the sport and thought it would be fun to be tossed in the air.
What’s something about stunt that not a lot of people know about?
I don’t think a lot of people realize that there is a lot of counting and memorization involved in stunt. Normally, the PSAL sends out routines to certain counts, and we try our best to recreate the same routine as a team. In a competition, whoever performs a cleaner and better-looking routine in front of a panel of judges to the exact counts wins a point. I also don’t think people realize that there are many different elements to stunt, such as partner stunts with individual groups, pyramids involving multiple stunt groups, and tumbling.
What is your favorite moment during stunt?
One of my favorite memories during stunt was competing against my sister last year. I think the fact that we are really close in age makes it really exciting to compete against one another. I also love the long breaks between the two games we normally play, as well as just getting to hang out with the entire team.
What’s your least favorite thing about the sport?
I feel like stunt is pretty dangerous for all members since it involves a lot of group coordination. I have definitely gotten many concussions from falling on my head, which is especially bad when I have tests the day after.
Any rituals?
Before any game, I always make sure to retie my shoelaces really tight because I’m constantly afraid my shoes will fall off mid-stunt.
Fun Questions:
Funniest teammate: Joshua Feng
Pre-game meal: A banana & iced coffee
Pre-game song: “Whatever It Takes” by Imagine Dragons
One thing you can’t live without: A hair tie