Chasing History: Kaela Edwards' Run for the Record

By Tanner Brown, Oklahoma State Athletic Communications

Setting an all-time collegiate record would be something to hang your hat on for most track and field athletes, unless your name is Kaela Edwards.

Only a month after clocking a 2:40.79 – the fastest in women's collegiate history – in the 1,000 meters at the Holiday Inn Invite in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Cowgirl senior from Highlands Ranch, Colorado, has set her sights on another record: the collegiate indoor mile.

She will try for the record Saturday afternoon, and on one of the biggest stages in the sport, no less, at the 110th NYRR Millrose Games in New York City.

The event brands itself as "the world's longest running and most prestigious indoor track and field competition" and will host 55 Olympians, 11 Olympic gold medalists and seven additional Olympic medalists competing on Saturday, February 11 at The Armory's New Balance Track & Field Center.

Prior to her historic performance in Lincoln, Edwards said she wasn't expecting to run a record-setting time. In fact, she wasn't even supposed to finish the race – she was on rabbit duty - but said she was confident in her abilities.

"That wasn't even something I had in mind coming into the season," Edwards said. "At the end of the day, I'm proud of it. An accomplishment like that is pretty cool."

Edwards said she knew when she came to OSU she was striving for success, but she admits she didn't think she would reach this level.

"It's been awesome," Edwards said. "I've developed into an athlete that I didn't even think I'd become. It was hard to imagine myself being a really good middle-distance runner, but once I had a little taste of success, I knew I wanted more."

The first taste of success came when she shocked the field and finished third in the 800-meter final at the NCAA Championships after getting into the meet with the final qualifying time back in 2014.

She went on to take another All-America honor when she finished runner-up in the same race a year later and became the fourth Cowgirl in school history to win an NCAA indoor title last year when she ran a 4:35.62 in the mile final.

One of the most decorated middle-distance runners in school history, Edwards has her mind set on one more goal to cement her legacy in OSU and NCAA history: the collegiate mile record.

It's a record that's belonged to U.S. champion and Olympian Jenny Simpson since she set it in 2009, and at 4:25.91, Edwards feels she's not far off.

"That's my goal this weekend [at the Millrose Games]," Edwards said. "It's not going to be easy, but it's a big goal that I've had in mind for a while."

She split 4:31.22 two weeks ago in the distance medley relay to cap off a stunning 10-second comeback for the Cowgirls in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a time that would be fifth in the world in 2017 had it been an open mile.

In her time in Stillwater, she's put her name on 12 of OSUs top-10 all-time lists and holds the record in the 1,000 and mile along with having the fourth-fastest 400-meter time and the No. 2 3,000-meter time.

The invite this weekend is something she said she's grateful for and may be one of her toughest challenges yet.

The Women's Wanamaker Mile isn't an average race. Edwards will be competing against some of the fastest women in North America, including World bronze medalist Shannon Rowbury.

It's a race littered with professionals that consistently put up some of the fastest times in the world, including six of the top-10 in 2016.

But running against professionals is what Edwards wants to do.

Since breaking onto the national stage, she said she hopes to become a professional when her OSU career comes to a close in June.

After winning a national title last year, running at the U.S. Trials in the summer and breaking a collegiate record only a month ago, OSU head coach Dave Smith said he thinks she can have success at the next level.

"She's aiming for Olympic teams and a professional career," Smith said. "She's one of those people who can get a picture in their mind and go make it happen."

Smith said he's going to miss Edwards' sense of humor off the track and her solemnity on it. He said she acts with dignity, professionalism and a goal-oriented mindset, which represents OSU well.

He said he will miss Edwards' ability to joke around, but become laser focused when it's time to race. He said he admires her capability to believe in herself and he believes she can achieve any goal she sets her mind to.

"I'm going to miss everything about her," Smith said. "She's been incredible and she has further advanced our program. She has legitimized it in the eyes of people who follow track and field, showing them this place is doing really special things in the field of women's track and cross country."

Edwards said she will miss the people who have been a part of her experience at OSU, but she is looking forward to the future.

"I've had trainers, coaches and all my teammates by my side through it all," Edwards said. "They've obviously been a huge part of my development in becoming who I am. It's a cool experience and I'm really grateful for it."

She's been a part of the most successful era in Cowgirl history and her four years in orange have put herself and OSU in the spotlight.

Although she and her coaches believe she has a bright future ahead, she said she's focused on her swan song.

Her march toward greatness continues Saturday at the Millrose Games.

Oklahoma State University Athletics

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