Giovanni Addison trained for 13 years to be the best she could be in gymnastics.
The 17-year-old gymnast trained for countless hours at American Gymnastics. Eleven days ago, she competed at her home gym for the final time and she couldn’t have been more nervous.
“We’d been preparing and working really hard for the past couple weeks prior to the meet,” Addison said. “Just the day of (the meet), my coach was telling me that I have to do this skill. I have this huge skill I have to do on bars. It’s a collegiate level skill. My mind was just set to throw the skill and I knew what I had to do.”
Addison walked away from the meet as a Level 10 top overall finisher. Level 10 is the highest level a gymnast can reach when competing at the state level. Finishing first in her final home meet at the highest attainable level couldn’t have made her happier.
“It felt great,” she said, “because it was my last meet. It’s already a sad thing to think about period, but to be able to do my best and to finish it up the correct way. I was very proud of myself.”
Addison had to overcome various injuries including broken ankles and a broken elbow throughout her years of training. Still, she stuck with it and has had a huge impact on younger gymnasts on the team.
“She is definitely our team leader,” American Gymnastics coach Reggie Mixson said. “She’s kind of like the mother hen. They look up to her. They respect her. They take any advice. She’s kind of like a junior coach in a way as well as being the top gymnast.”
Mixson has worked with Addison since she was nine years old. For him, watching her claim the top spot in her last competition at home was something he could truly be proud of, but it wasn’t easy.
“It was tough,” he said. “We had a couple of tears. We had a big long hug. We took pictures. Her mom and I had a little quiet time. It was tough, but it was very sweet.”
The season is just getting started for Addison and the rest of her teammates, but her eyes are still fixed on the future. Addison has been accepted to West Virginia University with a gymnastics scholarship, but she’s keeping her options open.
“I’ve applied to maybe about six other schools,” Addison said. “The school that I really am interested in is N.C. State. So, I don’t know which college I’m going to yet, but I’m working on it and I’ve been doing a lot of scholarship applications.”
Addison and Mixson have been writing letters to collegiate coaches hoping that an opportunity to compete on a college team will present itself. When they’re not writing letters, they’re in the gym training. Because of Addison’s work ethic, Mixson has no doubt that his Level 10 gymnast has a lot to look forward to.
“I know that she is going to progress and go on to greater things,” he said. “She’s worked so hard. She’s an excellent student as well as being an excellent gymnast. So I know she has a bright future ahead of her.”
American Gymnastics Holiday Invitational Results
Level 10 - Giovanna Addison (All-Around - 7.7; 1st)
Level 9 - Cha’ Anderson (All-Around - 32.825; 1st), Robin Banner (All-Around - 7.9, 4th)
Level 7 - Hailey Fanning (All-Around - 36.85, 1st), Ashley Summer (All-Around - 34.25, 1st), Alex Cave (All-Around - 33.675, 4th), Team Overall Score - 104.775, 2nd.
Level 5 - Lauren Craft (All-Around - 35.7, 1st), Sarah Fanning (All-Around - 34.7, 3rd), Holly Rast (All-Around - 34.175, 4th), Chaymia Scott (All-Around - 35.45, 5th), Team Overall Score - 106.925, 2nd.
Level 4 - Keylonda Walker (All-Around - 33.725, 2nd), Daisy Williams (All-Around - 35.5, 2nd), Talyor Sandifer (All-Around - 33.375, 3rd) Sarai Gardner (All-Around - 32.775, 4th), Anna Lamberth (All-Around - 32.45, 5th) Emilee Clare Fanning (All-Around - 33.2, 6th), Cameron Hutto (All-Around - 33.45, 8th), Team Overall - 6th Place.
Level 3 Silver Medalists - Kaylee Schurlknight, Hannah Cook, Emily Irick
Level 3 Bronze Medalists - Cierra Banks, Vacarie Burgess, Paris Paskal