Oct. 31, 2012

With official practices in full swing, the U of A gymnastics team is prepping to make an impact in the 2013 season. Arizona local Shelby Edwards is one of four freshmen joining the Wildcat roster.

Edwards comes to the UA after five years with Carter’s Gymnastics and three qualifying years for the Junior Olympic (J.O.) National Championships. Edwards’ experience should add to the depth of the Cats’ roster this season.

Full name: Shelby Erin Edwards

Year: Freshman

Hometown: San Tan Valley, AZ

Favorite class at Arizona so far: English 101

Favorite superhero: It used to be Superman, but then I saw The Avengers and the guy who plays Captain America is really attractive. So now my favorite superhero is Captain America

Favorite color: Purple

Favorite food: Coffee (does that count?)

Favorite book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Career ambition: I want to be Journalist for a music magazine, plus a freelance writer on the side.

A fact that people may not know about you: I have an unhealthy obsession with One Direction. I went to their concert last summer and almost threw up from screaming so hard. I'm not ashamed.

Three places you want to visit: London (because British people have awesome accents), the Harry Potter theme park in Florida, The Philippines

Excitements for the upcoming year: First off, I'm just super excited to be a GymCat. Everyone is so talented and hard working, it's really amazing to be apart of. I am also really excited to go to Nationals this year, because there is no doubt in my mind that this team is going to make it.

Reason for coming to UA: I really like how close it is to home. I only live about an hour and 45 minutes away, so going home some weekends is never a big production. I also love the team, I can't say that enough. But mostly it just felt like the right choice. I took a while on my decision, but in the end Arizona was genuinely where I wanted to be, and I could feel that.