STATE XC MEET (BOYS): Cold Springs' Edgeworth breaks state record en route to 4th straight title; Eagles secure team crown
Nov. 11—With countless crack-of-dawn workouts and a tireless dedication to his craft, Ethan Edgeworth crossing the finish line ahead of the competition was a mere formality — a long-ago-decided outcome etched in dust along the many trails conquered during the course of a remarkable prep career.
The Cold Springs senior and Tennessee signee put a tidy bow on his cross country résumé Saturday, setting a new state record in the 5K with an outstanding time of 14:34.29 — eclipsing the mark set by Vestavia Hills' Ethan Strand (14:36.88) in 2021 — and becoming the first-ever boys runner to claim a fourth straight state championship.
Edgeworth, who raised his arms to the sky after the triumph, was beyond elation at Oakville Indian Mounds.
"This is so great — not just me winning this race, but our team winning state," he said. "Seeing my time on the clock and coming down the straightaway, I was fighting through it with heart. I visualized crossing that finish line breaking the record and crossing the finish line not breaking the record. I knew that I'd be so disappointed in myself if I didn't do it. I didn't want to kick at the end, but I felt like I had to. I couldn't go out any better than this."
Saturday's race marked the 44th time Edgeworth has laced up his running shoes for Cold Springs since 2019.
In those 44 meets, he has racked up 27 wins, 37 Top 3s and 43 Top 10s. Those terrific showings stand on their own merits but become even more impressive when considering he competed against runners from higher classifications in numerous meets. In a word or two, he has been borderline unstoppable.
"You have to do the workouts and make yourself want to pass out if you want to come out here and run this fast — like we did today," Edgeworth said. "Not a lot of people know what all goes into this. It's not just running. It's having heart, loving your team, getting in the weight room and being around the people who support you.
"It's awesome that we just won state and we have to give the glory to God."
Edgeworth also said he had a hunch around the two-mile mark he had what it was going to take to set the record.
"I didn't see my time at the 800, but I knew I was moving," he said. "The mile was right where I wanted it to be and so was the two-mile mark. I felt better than I ever having going through that ... that's when I knew."
For coach Casey Howell, watching Edgeworth navigate the trails has been a joy to behold.
"There are not enough words to describe how special he is," he said. "What he did today will be remembered forever."
Edgeworth, however, didn't do it alone.
Jayden Allred (second), Sage Nelson (seventh), Drew Dykes (16th) and Blake Belcher (50th) each played their part in helping the Eagles (68 points) hold off Hatton (72) for their fifth Class 1A/2A state championship.
"I tell the kids all the time I truly believe our success has come from putting God first," Howell said. "They're such a special group that works so hard and cares more for their teammates than they do their own success. To see them overcome the adversity they faced this week shows how much they care for each other and the name across their chest."
See below for more local capsules. The top 15 runners in each classification earned All-State honors.
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Varsity Boys
Team: Cullman
Classification: 6A
Result: Sixth
Top Runners: Andrue Barnett (third), Cyrus Dawsey (41st), Cadan Fales (49th), David Manashirov (61st) and Dawson Helton (64th)
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Team: Fairview
Classification: 5A
Result: N/A
Top Runners: Alex England (eighth) and Parker Guiterrez (108th)
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Team: West Point
Classification: 5A
Result: Sixth
Top Runners: Rene Moreno-Tovar (ninth), Hayden Jones (24th), Thomas Ferster (41st), Brier Taylor (86th) and Jakob Salter (87th)
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Team: Good Hope
Classification: 4A
Result: N/A
Top Runners: Drake Nichols (19th)
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Team: St. Bernard
Classification: 3A
Result: Sixth
Top Runners: Cash Daly (ninth), Parker Guthery (13th), Sean Daly (26th), Cesar Hernandez (46th) and Ethan Wu (104th)
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Team: Vinemont
Classification: 3A
Result: Ninth
Top Runners: Brady Johnson (third), Hayden Robinson (41st), Andrew Landreth (74th), Yojan Patino (85th) and Brayden Harbison (103rd)
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Team: Holly Pond
Classification: 1A/2A
Result: 10th
Top Runners: Kohl Horton (20th), Matthew Putman (21st), Joshua Putman (22nd), Bradley Woods (135th) and Carter Brewis (151st)
