Bob Arthur is returning to his role as co-head gymnastics coach at Columbus North, and this time, he’ll have a new coach alongside him.
Kaitlyn (Barnes) Rediker, who spent last year as an assistant coach, joins Arthur as co-head coaches for the Bull Dogs. Arthur had been co-head coach along with Sandy Freshour for most of North’s run of 15 consecutive state finals appearances, which is tops in the state.
Last year, Arthur and Freshour both stepped into part-time assistant coaching roles, and Betsy Warble took over as head coach. Warble resigned after last season.
“I have not always known that I wanted to become a coach. Sandy Freshour contacted me at the beginning of last season and asked me if I wanted to be a coach with Betsy Warble. I thought it would be fun, and at that time, I was furloughed from my pre-K position.”
Rediker was a gymnast and pole vaulter in track and field for the Bull Dogs, graduating in 2015. She graduated from Ball State in December 2018 and took a job as pre-Kindergarten teacher at Cummins Development Center.
“I had thought about (coaching) some, but I didn’t know if it was going to be possible with the job positions I was in since at that time, I wasn’t teaching within the school system,” Rediker said.
Rediker, who was a volunteer assistant coach at North in 2020, just started as third-grade teacher at CSA-Fodrea Elementary.
The Bull Dogs finished sixth at state last seasons after placing in the top five each of the previous eight years.
“I hope to keep the program going well and just have fun in this new role and opportunity,” Rediker said. “I hope to stay in it long enough so I can follow through with this to help Bob and Sandy meet the expectations of this program.”
