To say Tova Edwards has saved her best gymnastics for her senior year would be a little bit of an understatement.
Edwards is performing the best she ever has for Columbus North as her career winds to its conclusion. The Bull Dogs host the Conference Indiana meet tonight in its final tuneup for the postseason.
“I think this is my best year so far,” Edwards said. “It’s basically just trying to stay positive and not giving up.”
Edwards has been doing gymnastics since fifth grade at Jody’s Gymnastic Zone. When that closed, she moved over to Victory Gymnastics Academy.
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As a freshman at North, Edwards was part of a state championship team. She also played a role on the state runner-up team as a sophomore and the team that finished third at state last season, earning the team’s Most Improved Award.
“She came in and was eager to learn new skills from the get-go, and she just has a certain awareness about her,” North co-coach Bob Arthur said. “She’s picked up some difficult skills very quickly, so we’re real tickled.”
Edwards’ best scores have come this season. Her top beam score of 9.5 ranks ninth all-time, and her top floor score of 9.625 is tied for eighth all-time.
Last week, Edwards put up a career-best all-around score of 37.05 in a senior night win against Roncalli.
“She’s having great year and maybe just feeling comfortable more than she has in the past with her routines and her skills, and that has relaxed her and allowed her to put out some really awesome scores,” North co-coach Sandy Freshour said.
Adding to the excitement for Edwards this yeare is that her sister Madi has been along for the ride. Madi, a freshman, has been a solid contributor for the Bull Dogs all season.
“It’s kind of different because I’ve been on my own the last three years,” Tova said. “I used to have her with me in club, too, so this is nice.”
Madi, who has been doing gymnastics since she was 6 years old, has the Bull Dogs’ fourth-best score on the bars this season. She is fifth or sixth in the other events.
Schools can use four gymnasts on each event in the postseason. The top three count toward the team score.
“I didn’t think I would contribute this much,” Madi said.
Both Tova and Madi, along with the rest of North’s top gymnasts, have had to pick up their games in the absence of top returning gymnast Sami Heathcote, who has been out all season with symptoms from the after-effect of a concussion.
Freshman Emily Moore has been the Bull Dogs’ leader on every event. Tova has been right behind her.
“Madi has done real well, too,” Arthur said. “Madi’s attitude and passion to get better is equal to her sister, so I see nothing but good things happening for Madi in the next few years, too.”
Freshour agreed.
“Madi is a spunky sidekick to her big sister with a lot of talent, as well, so we’re excited to work with her and to bring her along with her skills, also,” Freshour said.
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What: Conference Indiana gymnastics meet
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Columbus North High School (auxiliary gym)
Who: Columbus North, Bloomington North, Bloomington South
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