Name: John Edwards

Sport: Cross Country

Grade: Senior

Personal Record: 17.38

The Lowdown: Edwards, the team captain, has claimed first place for the PV boys in the last three 5k races. His best came in the Brett Taylor Invitational tournament on October 6th, and the next race he followed up with a 17.40 in the Divisional Championships. He also received 2nd team All-League honors this season. He looks to improve upon his personal best at the Group Championships on October 20th.

Expectations: He wants to improve upon his personal record, as well as the team to go for their personal records.

Coach’s Comment: “John Edwards has shown significant growth since the spring track season last year. His times on the track dropped considerably. As coaches, we anticipated this development to carry on with this cross country season. John’s best 5k race last season was 19:15. John has bettered this by running a 17:38. He did this by winning the Brett Taylor invitational 5k at Darlington Park by more than a minute in front of the next competitor. Both coach Koch and Grier and myself feel that this improvement will continue through the rest of the season.

John and I have spent more than 4 years together. I coached John we he was a novice runner of 10 years old. He has developed into an incredible young man and leader for the team. John leads by example and his teammates respond positively to him. He is respected by both his teammates and coaches. Even when his girlfriend Kate Henderson, another great leader, calls him “Broccoli Head”! I am fortunate to have 2 more seasons with him before he heads off to college. I will miss him.” ~ John Murtaugh

What He Likes Most About His Sport:

Best and Proudest Sport Memory: After his first big race, he was “able to throw up.” Edwards described the moment as a “milestone.”  “I was pretty happy with myself, because I knew I gave it my all,” Edwards said.

Funniest Moment: When at meets, the boys often have to use porta-potties.  At one meet, they locked teammate Liam Sandt in a porta-potty and shook it.

Best Thing About PV: The great community where “everybody gets along with one another.”

Favorite Movie: “Alien”

Favorite Musical Artist: Lil Uzi Vert

Favorite Subject: Physics

Favorite Food: Tacos

Favorite Season To Run In: Fall (Cross Country)

Favorite Animal: Cats

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookie Dough

One Superpower: To fly

How It Feels To Be On A Team With His Girlfriend: “It’s great because we’re both captains and I get to know about the girls team and she gets to know about the boys team,” Edwards said of his girlfriend Kate Henderson.

How It Felt To Quit Soccer for XC:

What He Does In His Free Time: Hang out with friends and longboard

Role Models: Jeff Roberts: PV alumnus and current University of Iowa runner

Future Plans: He wants to run cross country in college

Dream Vacation Spot: Somewhere north in a snowy cabin. “I could go skiing, snowboarding, it would be fun,” Edwards said.