Edwards Eyeing Olympics as a Final Goal
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 1, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman Zac Edwards has made an immediate impact for the men's cross country team. Edwards came in from Virginia last season and jumped right into the mix as a competitor in the top seven for the distance team. A top seven that included and still includes one All-American and five All-SEC performers.
Edwards competed in the 5,000 meter final at the 2008 SEC Indoor Championships and finished 14th behind teammate and SEC Champion Tyson David and eventual Outdoor SEC Champion James Strang of Arkansas. Edwards took the experience as a learning experience and hopes to be in the same position next year but finish closer to the front.
"I got a good view of Tyson lapping me twice," Edwards recalled. "In the SEC you have to be on top of your game. At the 2008 SEC Indoor Championships, I was not on top of my game."
Edwards has a strong ambition to compete in the Olympics for the United States in the future. However, for right now, he has goals of getting to the top of the SEC, Region and NCAA as an individual and team. This season in particular the team wants to win the SEC and Region crown and hopefully get on the podium at the NCAA Championships.
"Our team goals for this season are to dominate the SEC, take care of business at the Regional meet, and point for the top of podium at NCAA's," Edwards said. "My personal goals are to help my teammates dream big and run fast. I hope to use college as stage 2 of 3."
Edwards is highly competitive and enjoys winning and Alabama is definitely on track to be and do those things on a yearly basis. He came to this university though because the coaches care about seeing him do well as a person and a runner. The cross country team is also comprised of American and international athletes whom he says helps him train and get better everyday.
"Nothing is more important than having people around who care to see you do well," Edwards said. "I also value having international guys to train with. I feel like it will set me up well for the future."
Alabama seems like the perfect school and competitive atmosphere for Edwards. He is part of a top five nationally ranked team and gets to run with and against foreign athletes everyday, which should help him when he gets to the national level and international level.
