GymCat Alumni TBT: Shelby Edwards
07/27/2017 | Gymnastics
Name: Shelby Edwards
Years competed: 4
Year graduated: 2016
What did you accomplish at Arizona and as a GymCat?
I loved competing at home meets, so one of the most meaningful accomplishments of mine is that I was able to compete in every home meet of my college career. I was lucky enough to never miss out on competing in McKale in front of our amazing home crowd, and that is something I will always be thankful for. Another accomplishment I am very grateful to have achieved came in my senior year. It had been a goal of mine since I started my career as a GymCat to compete on Floor. Because of injuries and other obstacles, I wasn't able to make it happen for three years. However, during my senior year, and with a lot of support and help from my teammates and floor coach John Court, I was able to finally compete on floor. Being able to actualize this goal gave me a real sense of accomplishment, and it is an experience I am so appreciative of.
What have you been up to since graduation?
I've been working as the Social Media Coordinator at International Gymnastics Camp in Stroudsburg, PA since May of 2016. I am planning on moving back to Arizona this summer to be closer to my family and pursue a career in a similar field.
How do you feel Arizona helped you grow as a person?
Being a GymCat, and being a student-athlete at Arizona, has completely helped shape and grow me into the person I am today. I learned so many valuable lessons during my time at Arizona, lessons that I continue to learn and grow from even today. Arizona taught me how to be a team player, how to communicate effectivly, how to hold myself accountable for my actions, and most importantly, Arizona was able to help me grow into my own person. From freshman year to senior year, I really learned the importance of being myself. My coaches and teammates created an environment where I felt comfortable being myself, and that is something I am forever grateful for.
Are you still involved in gymnastics? What do you miss most about the University of Arizona?
I am! I worked for International Gymnastics Camp, so I spent a year fully surrounded by gymnastics in almost every way. I still love NCAA gymnastics and I watch every GymCat meet when I get the opportunity. I was able to take to trip to St. Louis, MO in April to watch NCAA Nationals and hang out with former GymCat Danielle Buchanan! It was great to see some amazing gymnastics and spend time with one of my best friends.
What about Arizona stood out to you when being recruited?
When I visited Arizona for the first time I immediately fell in love with the campus! It's such a beautiful place to be able to spend college at. Plus, the weather is absolutely amazing.
What do you miss most about being a student-athlete?
What I miss most about being a GymCat is definitely the comradery and sister-like bond of being on a team. The relationships I made with my teammates are relationships that can never be replaced or duplicated. You spend so much time with these girls, and you go through so much with them always by your side. Going from seeing my best friends every day for four years to not seeing them at all has definitely been a huge adjustment. But the friendships I've made with my teammates are for life, and I love how involved we are with each other's lives even from thousands of miles apart.
What are some of your favorite memories at Arizona and with the GymCats?
Some of my favorite memories as a GymCat are probably competing in McKale Center. The atmosphere in McKale is absolutely electric, and I loved every second of our home meets in Tucson. One specific memory that I have is the first home meet of my senior year. Our Head Coach Tabitha Yim had worked so hard to all preseason, building our fan base and getting the community involved with Arizona Gymnastics. I remember warming up vault during our season opener when they announced the "Best Seat in the House" contest. The noise that erupted from the crowd was something I had never experienced prior, and the feeling it gave me was indescribable. To know that the community of Tucson had come out to support us, and had come out so enthusiastically, made me feel so blessed. I loved competing in front of our home crowd. It's a feeling that never got old.
What advice would you give to current GymCat athletes?
Man, enjoy the journey! My dad always tells me that, and I can't say it enough. Don't stress the small stuff, because life after college will have plenty to stress about. Enjoy your time in school, in the sport you love, with your best friends, enjoy it all. When you look back at your time as a GymCat, you're going to remember all of the amazing experiences and fun times you had, not all the times you spent worried about making a lineup. So why waste moments that could turn in life-long memories worrying about things that are out of your control. Put your all into everything you do, always. But remember to have fun doing it.
Years competed: 4
Year graduated: 2016
What did you accomplish at Arizona and as a GymCat?
I loved competing at home meets, so one of the most meaningful accomplishments of mine is that I was able to compete in every home meet of my college career. I was lucky enough to never miss out on competing in McKale in front of our amazing home crowd, and that is something I will always be thankful for. Another accomplishment I am very grateful to have achieved came in my senior year. It had been a goal of mine since I started my career as a GymCat to compete on Floor. Because of injuries and other obstacles, I wasn't able to make it happen for three years. However, during my senior year, and with a lot of support and help from my teammates and floor coach John Court, I was able to finally compete on floor. Being able to actualize this goal gave me a real sense of accomplishment, and it is an experience I am so appreciative of.
What have you been up to since graduation?
I've been working as the Social Media Coordinator at International Gymnastics Camp in Stroudsburg, PA since May of 2016. I am planning on moving back to Arizona this summer to be closer to my family and pursue a career in a similar field.
How do you feel Arizona helped you grow as a person?
Being a GymCat, and being a student-athlete at Arizona, has completely helped shape and grow me into the person I am today. I learned so many valuable lessons during my time at Arizona, lessons that I continue to learn and grow from even today. Arizona taught me how to be a team player, how to communicate effectivly, how to hold myself accountable for my actions, and most importantly, Arizona was able to help me grow into my own person. From freshman year to senior year, I really learned the importance of being myself. My coaches and teammates created an environment where I felt comfortable being myself, and that is something I am forever grateful for.
Are you still involved in gymnastics? What do you miss most about the University of Arizona?
I am! I worked for International Gymnastics Camp, so I spent a year fully surrounded by gymnastics in almost every way. I still love NCAA gymnastics and I watch every GymCat meet when I get the opportunity. I was able to take to trip to St. Louis, MO in April to watch NCAA Nationals and hang out with former GymCat Danielle Buchanan! It was great to see some amazing gymnastics and spend time with one of my best friends.
What about Arizona stood out to you when being recruited?
When I visited Arizona for the first time I immediately fell in love with the campus! It's such a beautiful place to be able to spend college at. Plus, the weather is absolutely amazing.
What do you miss most about being a student-athlete?
What I miss most about being a GymCat is definitely the comradery and sister-like bond of being on a team. The relationships I made with my teammates are relationships that can never be replaced or duplicated. You spend so much time with these girls, and you go through so much with them always by your side. Going from seeing my best friends every day for four years to not seeing them at all has definitely been a huge adjustment. But the friendships I've made with my teammates are for life, and I love how involved we are with each other's lives even from thousands of miles apart.
What are some of your favorite memories at Arizona and with the GymCats?
Some of my favorite memories as a GymCat are probably competing in McKale Center. The atmosphere in McKale is absolutely electric, and I loved every second of our home meets in Tucson. One specific memory that I have is the first home meet of my senior year. Our Head Coach Tabitha Yim had worked so hard to all preseason, building our fan base and getting the community involved with Arizona Gymnastics. I remember warming up vault during our season opener when they announced the "Best Seat in the House" contest. The noise that erupted from the crowd was something I had never experienced prior, and the feeling it gave me was indescribable. To know that the community of Tucson had come out to support us, and had come out so enthusiastically, made me feel so blessed. I loved competing in front of our home crowd. It's a feeling that never got old.
What advice would you give to current GymCat athletes?
Man, enjoy the journey! My dad always tells me that, and I can't say it enough. Don't stress the small stuff, because life after college will have plenty to stress about. Enjoy your time in school, in the sport you love, with your best friends, enjoy it all. When you look back at your time as a GymCat, you're going to remember all of the amazing experiences and fun times you had, not all the times you spent worried about making a lineup. So why waste moments that could turn in life-long memories worrying about things that are out of your control. Put your all into everything you do, always. But remember to have fun doing it.
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