Gateway’s Jordan Edwards, Olivia Miller finalize college decisions
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Sunday, November 12, 2017 | 11:05 PM
Jordan Edwards saw Gateway athletes celebrate their college choices on signing day year after year, and she knew some day, her time would come.
That time was last Friday as she and fellow Gators senior Olivia Miller finalized their college decisions during the early signing period.
Edwards, a standout on the girls basketball team, will join Division I Niagara, and Miller will compete on the gymnastics team at Pitt.
“It is a blessing to be able to reach this milestone in my life and be surrounded by family and friends who helped me get to this point,” Edwards said.
Edwards, a point guard who averaged 13 points last season, gave a verbal commitment to the Purple Eagles in July.
“I am really happy I have gotten to this point in my academic and basketball career,” Edwards said. “(Signing) is a huge weight off my shoulders. Now I can just concentrate on my high school season and not have to worry about any more recruiting. I know where I'm at. I've found my home.”
Edwards had other Division I offers, including St. Francis (Pa.) and Oakland (Mich.).
Miller has been waiting to put pen to paper as she verbally committed to Pitt as a sophomore. The signing period began early in the morning on Nov. 8, and Miller was the first D-I gymnastics recruit to file her papers with her NCAA school.
“I knew that Pitt was the school for me, and it feels great to now have it be official,” Miller said. “I really love the campus, the academics and the gymnastics coaching staff. I am excited to be on the team. It's a great fit for me.”
Miller also considered Penn State, Ohio State, West Virginia and Bowling Green. But in the end, she said, Pitt rose above all others.
Edwards and Miller are looking forward to competition this winter.
Edwards, twice a first-team all-section selection, said she hopes to increase her scoring average and help Gateway challenge for a Section 2 title in 5A and make a deep run in the playoffs.
The Gators finished 17-7 last winter and went 1-1 in the WPIAL playoffs with an overtime win over West Allegheny before a loss in overtime to No. 2 Trinity.
“If we continue to work hard and keep our focus on our goals, we can be pretty successful,” Edwards said.
Miller, who has been battling through a shoulder injury, begins her USA Gymnastics season Dec. 2, her 18th birthday, at the Steel City Invitational at Jewarts Gymnastics in Wexford. The Level 10 elite gymnast also is focused on strong finishes at USA Gymnastics states, regionals and nationals in March, April and May.
The state meet is set for the first time at David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
“I am ready for the season. I can't wait,” Miller said.
Miller captured a state championship on the uneven bars last spring, but a broken finger suffered in training prevented her from competing at regionals.
Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Mlove_Trib.
Tags: Gateway
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