MORGANTOWN — University’s star distance runner Larry Josh Edwards has been once again named the Gatorade Player of the Year, a repeat honor to go along with his repeat state title victory from the fall.
“I’m definitely pleased to get the award again,” Edwards said. “It’s cool to win it twice in a row.
“In my opinion, I’d rather have a state title and a team state title, but to get this award, it’s definitely something that’s held in high regard and I don’t take it for granted.”
Edwards had an outstanding 3A title race in Ona, W.Va., claiming victory in 15:25.48, nearly 50 seconds ahead of second-place finisher and teammate Rocco DeVincent. Further, Edwards swept the regular season, going unbeaten and eventually claiming the No. 8 spot in the country by MileSplit.com.
Edwards also has an outstanding academic record, holding a 3.97 GPA as a junior. Further, he’s a volunteer with the local Special Olympics group and is a youth running coach.
“The Special Olympics, I was trying to get out there and do good in the community,” Edwards said. “I have [gotten] fulfillment from that. The youth running is, whether it’s in the summer or winter if they need my help and want me to go talk to the kids, is something I enjoy doing a lot. Getting out and motivating the young ones to pursue running.”
Edwards connects with the youth program especially, as he entered the running scene when his brother, Nathaniel, was running with the UHS program.
“Between him and the connections and friends he had, it was nice having those people around me, talking to me; it was nice having them to look up to,” he said.
As part of Gatorade’s Play it Forward campaign, Edwards now has the opportunity to award $1,000 in grant money to a local or national youth sports organization. He believes he’ll give that money to the Special Olympics, just as he did last year. He can also submit a 30-second video telling the Gatorade selection committee why that organization is deserving of one of twelve $10,000 grants.
He now has his sights set on track season, kicking off Saturday. Edwards was unable to compete his sophomore season due to the COVID-19 pandemic shuttling down West Virginia sports, but this year hopes to make up lost ground.
“My freshman year didn’t go so hot, so I still don’t have a track state championship,” he said, laughing. “I want to do well in a race on July 3 I was invited to in Seattle, Wash. But yeah, have fun, run fast and stay healthy.”
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