Hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, her first global outing came at the 2003 World Youth Championships in Athletics in Sherbrooke where she reached the semi-finals of the 800 metres.[2] After graduating from high school, she went to the United States to study at the University of Michigan.[3] Competing for the Michigan Wolverines, she had success with the college's relay team, which included a collegiate record double in the 4×800 metres relay and 4×1500 metres relay at the 2007 Penn Relays.[4][5] At the following year's event, Edwards ran the meet's second fastest ever distance medley relay with the Michigan team, and repeated the same feat in the 4 × 1500 m relay.[6][7]