Gianna Gerdes Opens Up On Career Plans After Minnesota Gymnastics' Historic NCAA Finish
NCAA, College League, USA Gymnastics 2022: NCAA Women s Gymnastics Norman Regional MAR 31 Minnesota s Gianna Gerdes completes a tumbling pass during Session 2 of the NCAA Women s Gymnastics Norman Regional at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. Kyle Okita/CSM Norman OK United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20220331_zaf_c04_161.jpg KylexOkitax csmphototwo891297
NCAA, College League, USA Gymnastics 2022: NCAA Women s Gymnastics Norman Regional MAR 31 Minnesota s Gianna Gerdes completes a tumbling pass during Session 2 of the NCAA Women s Gymnastics Norman Regional at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. Kyle Okita/CSM Norman OK United States of America EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20220331_zaf_c04_161.jpg KylexOkitax csmphototwo891297
Leading the Gophers in the “Four on the Floor” in the 2026 season, Gianna Gerdes has cemented her legacy as the only Gopher to participate in the three NCAA National Championships alongside Mya Hooten and Jenny Hansen.
Speaking with Big Ten Network, Gerdes gave a hint about her upcoming plans, “I'm not sure, probably coaching or something sports related, I definitely love the sport so much... I am sure, I'll be around definitely in the gymnastics community, and probably bugging the Gophers for a while too."
Her career concluded at the 2026 NCAA Championship, helping the team secure a record-breaking fourth-place finish in the program's 52-year history. She delivered a 9.900 on vault during the finals.
Gerdes spent her gap year (2025) away from the routine, discovering a passion for coaching and mentoring young gymnasts in Delaware, Ohio, her hometown.
She is backed by a bachelor's in business marketing and a master's in sports management, perfect for positioning her love for sports into a full-time professional career.
The decision to return for one last ride was described by Gerdes as “content and fulfilled", and the final run on the mat was the "exclamation point” and the “cherry on top” of her career.
Gerdes joked in her post-meet interview, “You obviously can't get rid of me”, highlighting her ambition to remain active in the sports community and may also serve as the Gophers' next “hype-man.”
The Next Chapter For Gophers
The exit of Gerdes leaves a gap in the lineup for the Gophers, but with rising stars like Brooklyn Rowray, who had a consistent performance across all four events. Rowray won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, was named NCAA First Team All-American on beam, became the NCAA Corvallis Regional balance beam champion, and also won the NCAA title on balance beam.
Rowray's career high of 9.925 on beam points towards a steady anchor that the Gophers require post-2026 season. For that, the focus is on Jordyn Lyden and Serena Mullin.
Lyden showed brilliance on vault and floor, proving she can manage the intensity for the “Four on the Floor” stage. Mullin can reach above 9.900 to keep Minnesota's score high against the rival teams in the future.
The next chapter for Gophers will see how head coach Jenny Hansen will rebuild the team.
What are your thoughts about the Gophers this season? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Sebi Mehta
Edited by
Rudra Dubey