Keeghan Edwards: Commitment to Florida, Cross-Training, and NXN Team Title Hopefuls
Keeghan Edwards is a senior at Mountain Vista HS (CO) who is committed to the University of Florida. Keeghan had previously been committed to Tennessee, but after the coaching change, decommitted and signed with Florida. She most recently led Mountain Vista to a team title at the 5A Colorado state championships, placing 5th individually, and the team is favored by many as the favorites to win Nike Cross Nationals. After dealing with some injuries throughout her high school career, she incorporated cross-training into her regimen, which has proven successful and led to lifetime best performances. She was 4th at the 2024 New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2 Mile and was the runner-up at state in the 3200 and holds personal bests of 4:45.12 (1600), 10:13.48 (2 Mile), and 16:52.74 (5000).
You had made your commitment to Tennessee back in May, then after the coaching change, you decommitted and ultimately made your decision on Florida. What was that process like?
Decommiting was a very tough decision. With all the uncertainty, I opened back up the recruiting process. After careful thought and consideration, I came to the conclusion that Florida was the best fit for me. I am honored to join the Gator family and be a part of their renowned legacy.
What made you decide on Florida? What were you looking for in a school?
I wanted a program where I could see the most potential for growth as both a student-athlete and a person. There were lots of schools that this could fall under, but Florida represents a program where athletes compete for something greater than themselves. From throwers to jumpers to sprinters to distance — and all the sports in between — everyone supports one another; the culture is incredible. They all share a common vision in that they train as a family to achieve excellence, and that legacy is something I want to be a part of.
What was your favorite part about your visit to Gainesville? You visited in the Spring right?
I visited Florida this past April and my favorite part of Gainesville had to be the weather. I ran a long progression run in dumping snow the morning that I left, and as much as I love the snow, 80 degrees had never felt better. Gainesville also has a very tropical vibe which I love. I’m so used to mountains and the cold that I love the feeling of being someplace new, different, and unfamiliar!
What are your goals for your senior season? Mountain Vista is looking to be the favorites to win NXN this year.
I want to turn heads and prove people wrong. With transferring and injury, I haven’t had the high school career I’ve wanted, but I know there is still a lot of potential, room for growth, and I want to see just how far I can go. In terms of the team, I believe we can do something pretty special, maybe even something that hasn’t been done before. State, nationals — it’s all in the back of our minds, but our focus resides in getting better each day while still having fun. As long as we do that, we have a lot to be excited for.
What’s a typical training week like for you?
I'm a high-volume, low-mileage athlete, so I cross-train regularly and run very low mileage. This has proven to be what's most successful for me. I'll run the long run, workouts, and usually one easy day with speed involved, but most of the aerobic work comes from the elliptical or arc trainer. As much as I want to run high mileage, cross training always brings me back to my why, and I've ultimately become a stronger runner because of it.
Has cross training always been something you implemented in your training?
Throughout my high school career I have learned that I can be most consistent if I incorporate it into my training. All the little things — as well as a pretty large injury last fall — added up to teach me that I needed a different approach than others. Since adding cross training into my regime, I have run lifetime bests while having one of the longest consistent training blocks since I started in the sport.
What’s the furthest you’ll go on a run? I would assume that distance has changed since your injury last fall
My long runs got up to 11 miles in the summer/early fall. Right now, however, I am just getting back from an injury, so my training over the past 6-7 weeks has been modified. Before state, I hadn’t really run much; my longest was around 30 minutes on land. Everything else came from cross training and some light sessions on the antigravity treadmill.
if you had any advice for anyone about the college recruit process, what would you say?
I would tell people that effective communication and proactivity are two of the most important things when it comes to developing relationships with programs. I would also say it’s super important to be yourself rather than projecting an image you think is more impressive. you want a program that honors who you are, sees your potential, and who you share a vision with.
