Emerson could take a big step forward towards that mark in Gotzis this weekend. Not only is the Austrian venue known for its fast track, it is also highly-competitive given it regularly attracts the best multi-eventers in the world.
A personal best would only increase the hype, but Emerson is adamant she won’t be buckling under any increased pressure. Not again anyway.
As a teenager, Emerson suffered crippling pre-race nerves. The nadir came in a cross-country race aged 13 when Emerson had to stop during the race.
It proved to be a turning point. In her own words she “sports-psychologied” herself into changing her mindset – an early show of psychological awareness that she has taken into adulthood.
Emerson, as Ennis-Hill herself did, is studying psychology at Loughborough University and wants to work as a clinical psychologist when her athletics career is over. “Because I struggled with nerves so much when I was younger I now think “Niamh, you just need to get over it”,” she says.
“When I was a teenager I used to get so nervous about races that I would literally just stop in the middle and start walking. I still get nerves but I just use them to my advantage.”
Another advantage for Emerson is her 5ft 11in frame – a real asset, especially in heptathlon’s throwing events.
Ennis-Hill, 5ft 5in, admits to some envy about the 20-year-old’s “classic heptathlete physique” but is equally quick to point out size doesn’t always matter.
“She’s strong and she’s tall and she’s got a classic heptathlete physique although it’s not always about that because I was definitely small and didn’t have that same shape,” she said.
“Without doubt having that extra height is an advantage in the heptathlon and Niamh has obviously got that. But she was also telling me she has size nine feet and it’s hard to find shoes but that’s just one of the challenges of having a great heptathlete physique isn’t it?”
Big shoes to find – and even bigger ones to fill. Such is life as a British heptathlete.
“I do see some parallels between us. We both did psychology degrees and we both had a similar journey into athletics at the start of our careers. The Commonwealth Games was a really key moment for both me and Niamh stepping into senior championships.
“I definitely think she can (deal with the hype). She has kind of taken it all in her stride and has not got too carried away with anything at this stage.”
BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame this summer to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before. Through more live women’s sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women’s sport and alter perceptions. Find out more here.