May 6, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Head men's track and field coach Harvey Glance announced the signing of standout high jumper Michael Edwards (Kissimmee, Fla.). The England native and Poinciana High School standout will begin jumping for the Crimson Tide in the spring of 2009.

"When we went to evaluate him we saw him jump the third highest mark in the nation at the time," Glance said. "He is tall and really athletic and will be a benefit to our program right away."

While at Poinciana High, Edwards has broken the school, conference and district record with a leap of 7-0.25. The mark is the sixth best jump in the nation thus far at the prep level. Edwards won the state and district title in 2006 and was the regional runner-up.

The Manchester born Edwards will compete for the Great Britain team this summer at the World Youth Championships in Poland. The 6-6 Edwards also competed at the 2007 AAU Junior Olympics.

"The high jump will be a very competitive event for us for not just next year but years to come," Glance said. "He is an instant addition to our program and his marks in high school are already a national qualifier at the collegiate level."

Edwards has also earned a letter in football and three in basketball. He competes under head coach Rusty Gould at Poinciana High and coach Dennis Mitchell on his AAU club, Team Breakaway.

Edwards joins Tyler Campbell (Jasper, Ala.) and Aaron Stockstell (Iowa City, Iowa) to the 2009 signing class for the Crimson Tide.