TicketsCincinnati Athletics features more than 400 student-athletes who are doing incredible things on and off the field. Some will go pro in sports. Some will go on to do great things in business, medicine or other professional fields. All will be Bearcats for Life. These are their stories.
Cincinnati and track and field sixth-year senior Austin Edwards is putting the finishing touches on his story at Cincinnati as he enters his last season in 2023. Edwards is a six-time All-AAC honoree and has three AAC long jump titles, including sweeping both the 2022 indoor and outdoor titles.
The Lansing, Mich., native currently holds the program record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.72 seconds and ranks fifth in UC history in the 100-meter dash (10.44), indoor long jump (7.62m) and outdoor long jump (7.67m).
Learn more about Austin below!
How did you get involved with track and field?
"My dad got me involved with track and field at a young age. I remember my dad taking me and my brother to the summer meets at my high school every summer. We had so much fun; my dad would compete as well, and I am almost positive he still has the 100m dash record for ages 40 and up."
How does it feel to be one of the leaders on the team?
"Being one of the leaders on the team is something I take pride in, and I have been fortunate enough to be a team captain for numerous years. I am always here to lend a helping hand and guide the underclassmen in the right direction."
As a three-time AAC individual champion, what have those accomplishments meant to you? "These accomplishments mean the world to me. I have not had the easiest road to success; coming back from hamstring injuries and an Achilles rupture, most would have thrown in the towel. I knew my potential and knew that I could overcome these obstacles. It was very hard, and I had thoughts of doubt about if I would ever be back to what I once was before surgery, but I trusted in God, my trainers/doctors, family and friends, and myself that I would overcome adversity."
What has been one of the most challenging aspects of your time at UC?
"One of the most challenging aspects of my time at UC was when the world shut down due to Covid. It was my first indoor season back from injury, and I was not expecting to come back and set a personal best, but I had a pretty solid indoor season, and I was looking good going into the indoor conference championships and outdoor season. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and we were all sent home not knowing if the world would go back to what it once was."
As a sixth-year student-athlete, what does this season mean to you?
"This season is going to be special because it is the last time I will be representing the Bearcats. I do not want any regrets; I just want to go out there and do what I do best. I'm excited."
Why did you choose UC?
"I chose UC because the coaches and athletes welcomed me as their own on my visit. Coach Sam Kranz is a great man, and I saw how much he loved what he does so that carried weight for me."
What are your and the team's goals for this season?
"As a team, we want to win a conference championship. We were so close last indoor season, so we are hungry to get it done. My ultimate goal is to stay healthy. If I stay healthy, I believe my goals of winning another conference title and reaching Nationals will fall into place."
What are your career goals?
"If I do not pursue a professional career in track and field after college, my goal is to find something in the car/sales industry and to coach. I love cars, and I am a big fan of German car companies. I also love sports, so I have some options, which is good."
What's your major and why did you pick it?
"I received my undergraduate degree in communications and my master's degree in sports administration. I chose both majors because knowing how to communicate is a skill that is crucial in every aspect of life, and it seems like that would be simple, but it is not. My interest in sports has always been there from a young age."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is my family. I have been so blessed and fortunate to have a great family to look up to. Seeing what they have overcome and the hardships that they have endured has always been inspiring to me, and I love them very much."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, whom would it be and why?
"I would have dinner with former president Barack Obama because I feel he has so much knowledge and advice to give. He made history and his story to becoming the man he is today is incredible, and I would love to hear more about it from him personally."
Who is your favorite track or field athlete?
"My favorite track athlete is Usain Bolt because his personality and energy are infectious. My favorite field athlete is Christian Taylor because he is very humble, and his accomplishments speak for themselves. His longevity is something to be admired."
What's your favorite hobby?
"My favorite hobby is playing video games with friends or simply hanging out with friends and family. The relationships you have with your friends and loved ones are important for our mental health and well-being."
What makes UC great?
"I believe what makes UC great is the environment and people in it. They love their sports teams and support them with passion."
Who is your favorite artist and why?
"My favorite artist is Lil Wayne because he is a lyrical genius. I love to decipher his lyrics to get the root of the meaning behind them. I'm my opinion, he is the greatest rapper of all time."
Cincinnati and track and field sixth-year senior Austin Edwards is putting the finishing touches on his story at Cincinnati as he enters his last season in 2023. Edwards is a six-time All-AAC honoree and has three AAC long jump titles, including sweeping both the 2022 indoor and outdoor titles.
The Lansing, Mich., native currently holds the program record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.72 seconds and ranks fifth in UC history in the 100-meter dash (10.44), indoor long jump (7.62m) and outdoor long jump (7.67m).
Learn more about Austin below!
How did you get involved with track and field?
"My dad got me involved with track and field at a young age. I remember my dad taking me and my brother to the summer meets at my high school every summer. We had so much fun; my dad would compete as well, and I am almost positive he still has the 100m dash record for ages 40 and up."
How does it feel to be one of the leaders on the team?
"Being one of the leaders on the team is something I take pride in, and I have been fortunate enough to be a team captain for numerous years. I am always here to lend a helping hand and guide the underclassmen in the right direction."
As a three-time AAC individual champion, what have those accomplishments meant to you? "These accomplishments mean the world to me. I have not had the easiest road to success; coming back from hamstring injuries and an Achilles rupture, most would have thrown in the towel. I knew my potential and knew that I could overcome these obstacles. It was very hard, and I had thoughts of doubt about if I would ever be back to what I once was before surgery, but I trusted in God, my trainers/doctors, family and friends, and myself that I would overcome adversity."
What has been one of the most challenging aspects of your time at UC?
"One of the most challenging aspects of my time at UC was when the world shut down due to Covid. It was my first indoor season back from injury, and I was not expecting to come back and set a personal best, but I had a pretty solid indoor season, and I was looking good going into the indoor conference championships and outdoor season. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and we were all sent home not knowing if the world would go back to what it once was."
As a sixth-year student-athlete, what does this season mean to you?
"This season is going to be special because it is the last time I will be representing the Bearcats. I do not want any regrets; I just want to go out there and do what I do best. I'm excited."
Why did you choose UC?
"I chose UC because the coaches and athletes welcomed me as their own on my visit. Coach Sam Kranz is a great man, and I saw how much he loved what he does so that carried weight for me."
What are your and the team's goals for this season?
"As a team, we want to win a conference championship. We were so close last indoor season, so we are hungry to get it done. My ultimate goal is to stay healthy. If I stay healthy, I believe my goals of winning another conference title and reaching Nationals will fall into place."
What are your career goals?
"If I do not pursue a professional career in track and field after college, my goal is to find something in the car/sales industry and to coach. I love cars, and I am a big fan of German car companies. I also love sports, so I have some options, which is good."
What's your major and why did you pick it?
"I received my undergraduate degree in communications and my master's degree in sports administration. I chose both majors because knowing how to communicate is a skill that is crucial in every aspect of life, and it seems like that would be simple, but it is not. My interest in sports has always been there from a young age."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is my family. I have been so blessed and fortunate to have a great family to look up to. Seeing what they have overcome and the hardships that they have endured has always been inspiring to me, and I love them very much."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, whom would it be and why?
"I would have dinner with former president Barack Obama because I feel he has so much knowledge and advice to give. He made history and his story to becoming the man he is today is incredible, and I would love to hear more about it from him personally."
Who is your favorite track or field athlete?
"My favorite track athlete is Usain Bolt because his personality and energy are infectious. My favorite field athlete is Christian Taylor because he is very humble, and his accomplishments speak for themselves. His longevity is something to be admired."
What's your favorite hobby?
"My favorite hobby is playing video games with friends or simply hanging out with friends and family. The relationships you have with your friends and loved ones are important for our mental health and well-being."
What makes UC great?
"I believe what makes UC great is the environment and people in it. They love their sports teams and support them with passion."
Who is your favorite artist and why?
"My favorite artist is Lil Wayne because he is a lyrical genius. I love to decipher his lyrics to get the root of the meaning behind them. I'm my opinion, he is the greatest rapper of all time."