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Photo by: Jerry E. Lee
Meet the Freshmen: Gianna Gerdes
10/23/2020 9:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Get to know incoming freshman Gianna Gerdes from Delaware, Ohio and Gym X-Treme.
MINNEAPOLIS- The Gophers women's gymnastics team welcomes six incoming freshmen to the team for the 2020-21 season and it is time to get to know our newcomers!
Gianna Gerdes is a native of Delaware, Ohio. She competed for Gym X-Treme and graduated from Delaware Hayes High School. Gerdes was a National Qualifier in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the all-around. She is a two-time state champion (2015, 2018) on both floor and vault, and the 2015 State Champion in the all-around. Gerdes was a Regional Champion on vault in 2018 and earned a second place finish on vault at the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Regionals. She finished second at State on the uneven bars in 2015 and 2018. At Regionals in 2017, she earned a third place finish on beam, uneven bars and in the all-around. Gerdes finished in the top-15 at the 2017 Nationals on vault, uneven bars and floor, and in the top-10 for the all-around. The Delaware, Ohio native placed in the top-10 at Nationals in 2016 on beam. Gerdes has high scores of 9.875 on vault, 9.675 on the uneven bars, 9.525 on beam, 9.7 on floor and 38.1 in the all-around.
Gopher Sports: As an Ohio native, how did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Gianna Gerdes: Although it is so far from home, when I first stepped on campus I felt welcome and that I could fit in. Getting to know the team, campus, and what U of M had to offer really made me feel like this could be my new home.
GS: What is your most memorable gymnastics experience?
GG: Qualifying and competing in J.O. Nationals
GS: What was it like to compete at Nationals for four straight years?
GG: It was insane to have qualified four years back to back. My self confidence grew more and more each year. I started to feel more comfortable and could enjoy competing for my region. Each year I would meet the girls in my region, and almost every time I went back the same girls would be there. I built a lot of friendships and seeing that I could also be a returner made me feel as if I was supposed to be there too.
GS: What was it like to be a high school senior during the coronavirus pandemic?
GG: It was definitely interesting. Online school wasn't so bad, but missing out on the normal end of senior year things with my friends was devastating, especially since I'd be moving far away from them for college. As far as senior gymnastics season getting cut short, that hit me the hardest. The beginning of the season was going so great and I felt I could've performed well. I felt I could have gotten some redemption in the bigger meets, considering I was injured the past years around that time.
GS: What are you most excited about for your freshman year?
GG: Building relationships with the team girls, and new friends. As well as getting to compete as a Gopher!
GS: Which gymnast did you look up to while growing up and why?
GG: Mary Lou Retton. She went through some injuries and struggles during her career but she pushed through and went on to accomplish great things.
GS: What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?
GG: I enjoy singing and playing piano, performing in musicals, cliff jumping, and hammocking with friends.
Quick Hits:
Best pizza topping: Pepperoni
One thing you can't live without: Music
Cats or dogs: Dogs
Go-to Karaoke song: "Don't Stop Believing" (a duet of course)
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Gianna Gerdes is a native of Delaware, Ohio. She competed for Gym X-Treme and graduated from Delaware Hayes High School. Gerdes was a National Qualifier in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 in the all-around. She is a two-time state champion (2015, 2018) on both floor and vault, and the 2015 State Champion in the all-around. Gerdes was a Regional Champion on vault in 2018 and earned a second place finish on vault at the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Regionals. She finished second at State on the uneven bars in 2015 and 2018. At Regionals in 2017, she earned a third place finish on beam, uneven bars and in the all-around. Gerdes finished in the top-15 at the 2017 Nationals on vault, uneven bars and floor, and in the top-10 for the all-around. The Delaware, Ohio native placed in the top-10 at Nationals in 2016 on beam. Gerdes has high scores of 9.875 on vault, 9.675 on the uneven bars, 9.525 on beam, 9.7 on floor and 38.1 in the all-around.
Gopher Sports: As an Ohio native, how did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Gianna Gerdes: Although it is so far from home, when I first stepped on campus I felt welcome and that I could fit in. Getting to know the team, campus, and what U of M had to offer really made me feel like this could be my new home.
GS: What is your most memorable gymnastics experience?
GG: Qualifying and competing in J.O. Nationals
GS: What was it like to compete at Nationals for four straight years?
GG: It was insane to have qualified four years back to back. My self confidence grew more and more each year. I started to feel more comfortable and could enjoy competing for my region. Each year I would meet the girls in my region, and almost every time I went back the same girls would be there. I built a lot of friendships and seeing that I could also be a returner made me feel as if I was supposed to be there too.
GS: What was it like to be a high school senior during the coronavirus pandemic?
GG: It was definitely interesting. Online school wasn't so bad, but missing out on the normal end of senior year things with my friends was devastating, especially since I'd be moving far away from them for college. As far as senior gymnastics season getting cut short, that hit me the hardest. The beginning of the season was going so great and I felt I could've performed well. I felt I could have gotten some redemption in the bigger meets, considering I was injured the past years around that time.
GS: What are you most excited about for your freshman year?
GG: Building relationships with the team girls, and new friends. As well as getting to compete as a Gopher!
GS: Which gymnast did you look up to while growing up and why?
GG: Mary Lou Retton. She went through some injuries and struggles during her career but she pushed through and went on to accomplish great things.
GS: What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?
GG: I enjoy singing and playing piano, performing in musicals, cliff jumping, and hammocking with friends.
Quick Hits:
Best pizza topping: Pepperoni
One thing you can't live without: Music
Cats or dogs: Dogs
Go-to Karaoke song: "Don't Stop Believing" (a duet of course)
Favorite holiday: Christmas
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