Our next 20 Questions athlete has come along way in the last few years. I first took notice of this incredible talent about 4 years ago, when she was just starting out in Level 10. Now, Gianna Gerdes of Gym Xtreme in Ohio, is a force to be reckoned with on the competition floor she has qualified to 3 JO National Championships. However, it really has been in the last year that I have definitely seen a change in this young athlete. After visiting her at Gym Xtreme in September for her Eye on 5 Feature, I really noticed just how much this young athlete has grown. Gianna, who exhibited great 
confidence not only in her gymnastics, but how she carried herself and spoke about her teammates, coaches and gym. Gianna, who still has a few more years left with us here in Region 5 is definitely one to watch this season. I am looking forward to seeing this gymnast on the competition floor this season, she has not yet hit her peak in the sport and this season should really be a great one for her. Let’s get to know Gianna Gerdes a little bit better as she confidently heads into 2018 ready to take on the best competition our Region has to offer as she attempts to qualify to her 4th JO Nationals.
How did you get into gymnastics? How old were you? My parents put me into gymnastics when I was 20 months old because I was extremely energetic and loved to jump around.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event to compete is floor and my favorite event to do in practice is bars.
Favorite Skill to train/compete? In the gym I enjoy doing all my releases on bars, and in competition I love any double flipping passes, because they are usually the first or last pass in my routine and I love the feeling when you nail the landing!
Dream skill? My dream skill is a Tuck full on beam
What is your favorite part of gymnastics? I love meeting new girls, either from my gym or from other gyms that I meet through competitions, because we all cheer for and support each other! And I love the energy, it’s fun!
What college do you plan on attending? I will be attending The University of Minnesota, to continue my Gymnastics career on a full ride scholarship
What is your favorite meet to compete at? Nationals of course!!
Biggest accomplishment in gymnastics so far I’m a 3 time J.O. National qualifier and have placed in the top 13 in the all around two of those times! I have also qualified to the secret classic as a Hopes Elite gymnast.
Who do you most admire in the sport of gymnastics? Mary Lou Retton, because of her perseverance by competing in the Olympics after and injury and surgery only weeks before competition and still dominating!
What is your favorite Region 5 Insider Feature or Series? Making moves Monday is my favorite Region 5 Insider Feature
What is your go to playlist or song before meets? Today’s pop hits or Justin Bieber!
If you were trapped on a deserted island what 3 things would you take and why? Well I’m definitely going to over think this question: so, assuming on this island there will be access to some kind of food and materials that I could use to build a boat and weapons, I would bring:
1.) some kind of device to play music to help me stay calm and so I can jam out! 2.) a charger for that device. 3.) fresh water.
If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? I would be a hummingbird, because they are fast, they can fly, they make pretty music, and they are unique.
Who is your favorite superhero? My favorite superhero is Spider-Man
Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions? The only ritual I have is jamming out to my favorite music!
What do you like to do outside of Gymnastics? Outside of Gymnastics, I like to sing and dance, and I like to be involved in theatre and plays!
Most embarrassing meet moment or gymnastics moment? I’ve had some pretty interesting moments in my gymnastics career, but one time I was competing and I was on beam, I had messed up and was facing the wrong direction for one of my skills and it threw off my whole routine, I panicked and basically made up the rest of my dance in the routine. When I finished, my coach told me that she didn’t remember seeing that routine and I told her “me either I just now made it up”
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport would you do or try? If I was not a gymnast I would try Dance
Which athletes (any sport) do you respect the most and why? Simone Biles: I know that I could pick any sport but I picked her because she showed the world that no matter who you are or what kind of past life you’ve had, you can do anything with some hard work. This could go for any sport.
What is the most valuable piece of advice or wisdom your coach has given you? If something were to go wrong on a certain event, my coach always tells me to forget the mistake, not to let it affect the rest of the meet or practice, and to make the rest of the events the best that I can!
Bonus Question:Tell me something interesting about yourself….
I have other hidden talents including: dancing, singing, acting, and playing piano!
