Background
Ernst was born in Covington, Louisiana, in 1997 and began gymnastics in 1999.
Ernst was born in Covington, Louisiana, in 1997 and began gymnastics in 1999.
Ernst started her junior career in 2011, and at that year"s Visa Championships, she finished sixth in balance beam. At the 2012 Secret United States. Classic, Ernst was sixth in all-around, fifth in vault, and seventh in uneven bars. At the Visa Championships, she was seventh in all-around, eighth in vault, and eighth in balance beam.
Ernst started her senior career in 2013.
At the City of Jesolo Trophy, she finished fourth in all-around and first with the team At the Secret United States. Classic, she was second in all-around, first on balance beam, second on floor exercise, and fourth on uneven bars.
Ernst replaced Simone Biles for a place on the 2014 Pacific Rim Championships team in Richmond, British Columbia.