Recruit Spotlight: Addison Sarisky

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Fresh off her most successful season to date, Addison Sarisky is riding a wave of momentum after capturing three national titles and earning a spot on the DP National Team. From her early days in a mommy-and-me class to becoming one of the top level 10 gymnasts in the country, Sarisky’s journey has been fueled by passion, resilience, and an unwavering love for the sport. As she prepares for her senior season and an exciting future at Alabama, she reflects on the moments, people, and experiences that have shaped her path.

Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Club gym: Olympic Dreams Gymnastics

College team: Alabama

Hometown: Girard, Ohio

How did you first fall in love with the sport?

My journey began when I was two years old in a mommy-and-me class. I started competing in level 3 while I was in kindergarten and have been loving it ever since! I’ve always loved flipping through the air, and as I started setting goals and achieving them, it really sparked my passion and fueled my love for the sport.

You’ve just topped off an amazing junior season with three national titles and a spot on the DP National Team. How does that feel?

It feels incredible! I was thrilled to win bars last year, but it’s been a long-time goal to win the all-around title at nationals. To take all-around, bars, and beam was a dream come true. It still feels a little surreal, and I’m honored to achieve this among so many extraordinary gymnasts.

What are your plans for the offseason?

I plan to keep pushing myself in the gym and working on upgrades that will benefit me heading into my senior season and college career. I really want to get my vault to a 10.1 start value for senior year!

What has been the highlight of your gymnastics career so far?

Qualifying for two Nastia Liukin Cups was a huge highlight. It was a long-term goal, and having had the chance to compete in two of them is a dream come true. Also, my success at nationals this season was unquestionably a career highlight!

What’s something outside of gymnastics that you’re really passionate about right now?

Spending time with my friends and family! The competition season can be really busy, so when school lets out, I’m excited to take a vacation with my family.

Who has made the biggest impact on your gymnastics career, and how have they inspired or shaped your journey?

I’m incredibly blessed to have parents and coaches who have always been unwavering in their support. Their belief in me—even on my worst days—has been so encouraging. I’m thankful for the positive guidance they’ve given me, the sacrifices they’ve made, and the amazing opportunities they’ve afforded me throughout my journey.

Was there a specific moment or competition when you realized college gymnastics was within your reach? Can you tell us about that experience?

After nationals my freshman year, college coaches began contacting my coach to come watch practice. The moment I was told the first college wanted to visit the gym, I was overjoyed and excited for what was to come. With each new school—so many amazing programs from across the country showed interest—my excitement kept building heading into my sophomore season. What I had worked toward for so many years was finally coming to fruition. But when I qualified for my first Nastia Liukin Cup at Elevate the Stage that sophomore season, I truly realized college gymnastics was within reach.

On a side note, I vividly remember “Sweet Home Alabama” playing loudly during the competition—perhaps a precursor of what was to come!

What’s one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced in gymnastics, and how has overcoming it shaped you as both an athlete and a person?

Being the only level 10 competing at my gym for the last several years has been one of the biggest challenges. Coming from a small gym definitely has its advantages, but competing alone without your teammates there to cheer you on was difficult to adjust to. However, it also afforded me the opportunity to make new friendships and connect with gymnasts from other teams. Over the years, I feel blessed to have built so many friendships from across Region 5 and the country, and I genuinely look forward to seeing them at competitions. I am so grateful to have overcome this challenge, and I realize I have so many supporters around me!

What’s a personal gymnastics achievement you’re especially proud of that might surprise people?

For many years, I often referred to bars as my nemesis. Little me never would have believed I’d become a national bar champion two years in a row. I’m especially proud of this achievement because it was an absolute struggle for so long and took a lot of perseverance to reach this goal. Although beam remains my all-time favorite event, I have to say bars has worked its way to a close second!

Looking ahead to your college career, what are you most excited to experience, both as a gymnast and in your personal life?

Coming from a small gym, I have had few opportunities to compete as a team. I love the team atmosphere that competing at level 10 nationals with my Region 5 team allows me to experience, and I am so excited to compete as a team at the collegiate level and be a part of something much bigger than myself! In my personal life, I am so excited to meet new people from around the country and make new lifelong friendships!

What’s something on your college gymnastics bucket list?

I would love to win a national championship with my team!

What was it about Alabama that made you decide to commit there?

Alabama was the full package for me. The pristine campus, incredible facilities, and the team’s core values and positive culture aligned perfectly with everything I was looking for. From the first camp I attended in 2023, Alabama had my heart; it immediately felt like a place I could call home. The coaching staff is truly amazing—genuine, supportive, and absolutely perfect. I feel so honored to have the privilege of having such incredible coaches to guide me in my collegiate career!