Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 20, 1991                   TAG: 9104200094
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

INJURY PUTS RADFORD SPRINTER'S CAREER ON THE RIGHT TRACK

As a rising freshman, Edwards aspired to play football in high school, and perhaps dabble in track. He originally planned to follow in the footsteps of his sister, 1988 Radford graduate Angie Edwards, who was a talented performer in track's power field events, the discus and shot put.

But then Edwards broke his hand, and found that he could not heave the shot or disc for Radford High.

"So," Edwards said, "they made me run."

And he ran. And jumped, too. And it didn't take him very long to make track coach Norman Lineburg a happy man.

Last season, as a sophomore, Edwards surprised even himself by qualifying for the Group AA state meet in different events - the 100-meter, the 200, the 400 and the long jump.

This season, Edwards had added the high jump to his repertoire, and now competes in six events for the Bobcats - the five above plus the triple jump.

And the points are piling up swiftly. Entering the week, Radford had won three of its four meets this season, with Edwards leading the way.

In every meet, the junior has placed in each of his six events, usually first or second. In one meet, Edwards won five events, and took second in the high jump.

Break out the calculator. There aren't enough fingers and toes to process that kind of point production. It comes to 28, a considerable chunk of his team's total.

But Edwards does not seem to have any trouble manufacturing points, no matter what the season. The power and speed that has enabled him to carry his track team this spring has helped him carry the football with equal success.

Last fall, Edwards - a muscular six feet, 185 pounds - led the New River District in rushing and scoring as a running back in his favorite sport.

"There's no question about it, he's got it all," said Lineburg, also Edward's football coach. "He's a multitalented kid. He's got explosive speed and jumping power.

"He's naturally fast and he's worked hard to be successful. He's very coachable and does well academically.

"This is his second year of very fine track performance. If things go well for him, he could go back [to state competition] in even more events."

Besides his training, practice and natural speed, Edwards said he has been pushed along toward his success by a very athletic family.

Until this season, he had had a sibling in the Bobcat track program for many years. In addition to Angie, who now competes at Virginia Tech, Tommy's sister Tara ran track for 12 consecutive seasons at Radford - four years of cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.

Tara, one of Radford's top distance runners, graduated last spring. Tommy's father, Kenny Edwards, was a speedy football standout at Tech, and later played briefly for the Buffalo Bills when that organization was in the old American Football League.

Edwards now has his sights set back on the state competition. Though he admits his extensive duties are tiring, he hopes to qualify for the state meet in as many events as possible.

He will get a good taste of top-rate competition today when his school hosts the All-American Relays. Lineburg said he expects up to 800 athletes from 25 to 30 schools at the meet.

"Without a doubt, this will be the best competition I've seen this season," Edwards said. "I compare it to the state meet. There's so many different schools, and such a [variety] of talent.

"It'll push me harder this weekend."