Bri Edwards and Her Journey with the Gators

Bri Edwards is a national champion gymnast from Gulf Coast with a 4.7 GPA who joined the Gators gymnastic program last year.

Edwards is No Stranger to Success

Edwards had an impressive track record prior to Florida:

• Qualified for 2021 National Level 10 Senior E Championships
• Fourth on vault at 2021 Region 8 Level 10 Senior E Championships
• Runner-up on vault and third on uneven bars at 2021 Florida Level 10 Championships
• Vault champion and all-around runner-up at 2021 Elevate the Stage
• Qualified for 2020 Florida Level 10 Championships
• 2019 Eastern Level 9 National vault champion and third on floor
• 2019 Region 8 Level 9 vault and floor champion
• 2019 Florida Level 9 State vault and floor champion

Alongside a great record, Edwards is an outstanding student. She studies pre-med and received a spot on the 2022 SEC First Year academic honor roll. She also earned a WCGA Scholastic All-America honor in social and behavioral sciences.

Her Journey

Edwards was five years old and living in Japan when she first got into gymnastics. It was not until she visited UF when she discovered she was a good contestant. In fact, she said she did not even think head coach Jenny Rowland was going to offer her a spot.

Edwards did ballet but mostly only focused her time in the gym. She said she loves coach Rowland and feels as if she pushes her not just as a gymnast but as a person, too. Edwards stated Rowland truly focuses on making sure the team knows how important it is in finding who you are.

She said one of her favorite events is the vault, because it feels the most natural and she can let go while her body gets the job done for her.

Bri Edwards- Vault pic.twitter.com/78hN1I3mCP

— Trinity Thomas All Around Champion (@gymnastinator) December 6, 2022

Edwards said teamwork is a key component even though you are performing alone. On the hard days Edwards said she knows she has to do it for the team when she cannot do it for herself. The team needs to strive to have the smallest gap between the best and worst player in order to succeed, she said.

Edwards also said she knows there are young girls in the crowd who look up to her.  She stated it is a privilege, and she loves being an inspiration to young girls.

As a freshman. she said she had the most fun meeting the team and making it a family. Gator Nation and performing in the O’ Dome were her favorite parts of it all.

As for NIL, Edwards just started dipping her toes in. As a pre-med and psychology major, school can be hard for her to manage, she said. One thing she said she is sure of, is keeping on top of it all. It is discipline and organization, so one day she can enter medical school. Nothing is better than the adrenalin of surgery and medicine she claimed.

Edwards and the Gators are back in action against Ball State in the O’Dome Jan. 6, 2023.