ONA, W.Va. – Shortly after Morgantown sophomore Lea Hatcher won the girls’ state cross-country title, another sophomore took lead of the pack to come out victorius. Unlike Hatcher, who didn’t have a placement in mind when tackling Cabell Midland’s trail, University’s Josh Edwards knew he was going to win the title after repeating as the Region I winner.
“I absolutely refused to look back,” Edwards said when asked if he knew how close 2nd place Wyatt Hanshaw was to him. “There were some points in the race where it will be a horseshoe turn where I’ll catch a quick glance, but … I just kept pushing the throttle (and) wasn’t going to take any chances.
“It felt good (crossing the finish line). Last year, I kind of goofed track and cross-country states, so to break that I don’t have that with me anymore. I’m finally apart of the (state champion) club.”
The sophomore made a big move out of the pack just before the 2-mile mark to take and retain the lead and finish 15:50. Edwards’ first-place finish also sealed an undefeated season against West Virginia runners.
“By no means am I a large guy, so running in the pack is something I hate to do,” Edwards said. “Breaking out was my first goal. I didn’t want to take the fist mile too hard –– it’s a tough one –– and I just kept powering through.”
His coach, Ed Frohnapfel, had high praises for Edwards as the young runner moves forward within the Hawks’ ranks.
“It definitely brightens a bad day, especially after the girls’ race,” Frohnapfel said with a lighthearted laugh. “The rest of the guys ran well, too. I was really happy with the team. They stepped up and did what I hoped they could do.”
“Josh will probably go back to Charlotte, N.C., (for the) Footlocker race,” Frohnapfel continued. “He won the freshman race last year, and he’ll qualify top 10. Just from what he’s running on courses like that, he’ll have to run sub-15 there but that’s totally in his range.”
Edwards led his team to a state title as the Hawks’ tallied 66 points. Morgantown came in second with 85 points, and Preston landed in third with 94 points – one above 4th place Cabell Midland.
“It means a lot, not just to me but the whole team,” Edwards said of the team’s finish. “We worked hard to come down here and be ourselves. It feels good, it really does.”
After playing the waiting game for the final points, Morgantown coach Mike Ryan had only praises for his runner-up boys’ team.
“To come from 5th last year, I think we ran very well as a group (in the tight race),” Ryan said. “We didn’t get out as fast as I would’ve liked early, but the guys ran with heart. Jackson Core had a good race and Jackson Snyder made some big moves. A big part of (our finish) was on Snyder’s shoulders – he really carried the team moving up in the second half (with) our pack running well.”
