Michelle Ngo's journey in gymnastics – and eventually to William & Mary as a standout student-athlete – began at the age of four in her hometown of Sacramento, California. What began as a simple activity with her twin sister quickly grew into a lifelong passion.
 
As her gymnastics pursuits progressed, she learned that progress required patience, focus, and hard work. "It took me some time to build the foundations of gymnastics," she said. "My parents taught me to advocate for myself and my needs. I worked with my coaches to improve my skills and my physical therapist to build proper strength and prevent injuries."
 
Practicing alongside her sisters made the experience even more meaningful. "My two sisters did gymnastics throughout high school," Ngo said. "It was special getting to practice and compete with them."
 
One of her club teammates in particular, Marisa Zepeda, also made a tremendous impact and became a mentor and motivator. "Marisa had the biggest impact on my gymnastics," Ngo said. "She was my greatest motivator in the gym, encouraged me every day at practice, and supported me on the hard days. Being two years older than me, she also offered advice during the college recruiting process and throughout my college experience."
 
Overcoming Adversity and Finding Success
 
Ngo's resilience was tested when she suffered a serious elbow injury in 2021, but her determination never wavered, and her comeback culminated in one of her proudest achievements. "My greatest gymnastics accomplishment prior to competing at William & Mary was representing Region 1 and California at the 2022 Development Program National Championships in Mesa, Arizona," she said. "The season before, I suffered a serious elbow injury, so being able to come back, recover, and qualify to the meet made it an especially meaningful experience."
 
By her sophomore year of high school Ngo was competing at Level 10, and it became apparent collegiate gymnastics could be part of her future. It was then when she first began exploring her options at various universities around the nation.
 
William & Mary provided Ngo with a unique opportunity and one she was eager to pursue. "W&M offered the perfect balance of academic and athletic rigor, which was exactly what I was looking for," she said. "During my recruiting visit, the team was incredibly welcoming and inclusive, and I could immediately see myself growing alongside such supportive teammates. I also knew that William & Mary would challenge me to become my best, both in the classroom and in the gym. Its close proximity to Washington, DC, along with its strong pre-law resources, also stood out to me as valuable opportunities for my future career."
 
Embracing the Tribe
 
Since arriving at William & Mary, Ngo has continued to thrive in the gym while making memories that will last a lifetime. "My favorite gymnastics moment at William & Mary was representing the Tribe and competing in front of 8,000 fans at our meet against Clemson University," she said. "I performed one of my best beam routines in that arena and was so excited at the end of the routine. That same year, I was also recognized as an all-conference honoree on floor, which made the season even more special."
 
Ngo, who competes primarily as a member of the bars, beam and floor lineups, credits her success to her intentional approach to training. "My greatest trait as a gymnast is my intentionality," she said. "I strive to be purposeful with every skill I perform. This mindset improves my physical gymnastics abilities and builds my confidence."
 
Mental preparation is another key to her performance, as that skillset has helped her earn All-GEC honors on floor twice. "The biggest key to my success as a gymnast is the mental preparation I put into each meet," Ngo said.
 
She follows a consistent routine before every competition. "On the final bus ride to the arena, I write out my prayers for the meet in my journal," Ngo said. "I also visualize my routines before competing and use specific cue words during each routine to help me stay focused. I repeat the same phrases every time, which keeps my routine consistent no matter the circumstances."
 
As Ngo embarks upon her senior season, she intends to savor every moment and support her teammates. "I hope to enjoy each meet alongside my team," she said. "We're traveling to California for two meets this season, and I'm especially excited to make memories there. I also hope to step into a greater leadership role and provide support for the freshmen on the team."
 
Balancing Athletics, Academics & Community
 
Ngo's commitment extends beyond gymnastics, and she is active on campus and dedicated to her studies. "At William & Mary, I am involved in InterVarsity, the Christian Campus Ministry," she said. "I have made some of my closest friends through InterVarsity who cheer me on at every home meet. I am also involved in research at William & Mary Law School and serve as the Editor-in-Chief of the Monitor: Journal of International Studies."
 
Last May she completed her undergraduate degree studying Government and Economics and is now a Master of Science in Business Analytics candidate at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business.
 
Ngo has been honored for her work in the classroom by being selected as a WCGA Scholastic All-American and a GEC Scholar-Athlete every season. Additionally, she garnered W&M's Provost Award for academic excellence three times.
 
Ngo's curiosity and love of learning extend into her personal interests as well. "I love listening to health and wellness podcasts and reading books!" she said.
 
A Lasting Impact
 
Gymnastics has taught Ngo lessons that reach far beyond the competition floor. "The greatest lesson competing in gymnastics has taught me is how to stay calm in the middle of chaos and trust in my abilities," she said. "Competing in front of large crowds and performing in high-pressure situations has strengthened my composure and confidence. Those experiences have prepared me to handle challenges beyond the gym."
 
Her involvement with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has also helped shape her perspective. "The greatest lesson I have learned as a student-athlete at William & Mary is the importance of serving others," Ngo said. "My involvement in SAAC has been one of the most transformative parts of my college experience. I learned how powerful it is to advocate for important issues and collaborate with others."
 
As she looks to the future, Ngo has clear goals and plans to attend law school. "In 10 years, I see myself as a practicing attorney, advocating for my clients and making a meaningful impact through my work."
 
Whether in the gym, the classroom, or the community, Ngo continues to lead with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to growth.