Edwards and Dela Cruz Brought Out the Best In Each Other

Although rivals on the track, Jacob Edwards and Thomas Dela Cruz have benefited from their rivalry in Hawaii High School Hurdles. Jacob Edwards made history for the BIIF leading the small rural school – Ka’u High School to a seventh place finish in the 2009 HHSAA Track & Field Championships. It is the highest finish by the rural high school for team standings. Edwards captured the gold in both the 110 and 300 hurdle events. Capturing silver in both events was Hilo High’s Thomas Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz sat out his senior year in basketball where he lettered on the varsity squad last year. He wanted to concentrate on track where he had a promising future. Dela Cruz bolstered Hilo High into capturing the HHSAA boys’ bronze team medal (3^rd place overall). That was the highest finish for a BIIF school in many years.

All year Dela Cruz and Edwards were neck to neck in competition and changed slots several times at different meets. Both outdistanced the next closest competitors in the BIIF. If it were not for this rivalry, both would have not recorded these best times.

In essence they pushed themselves to the HHSAA one- two finish….in both events. Edwards only a junior most likely has a chance to repeat may go for three, maybe four gold medals next year. However, unless another Dela Cruz steps up to push Edwards, it may not be the same.

Dela Cruz also has ties to the small rural district of Ka’u. Thomas’ father Thomas Dela Cruz senior was a multi sport athlete and amateur boxer from Naalehu and graduated from Ka’u High School.

Like champion boxers Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler, Edwards and Dela Cruz needed each other to bring their game to new heights.

Coming out of the small district has been only a small hurdle for these sensational athletes.

Ka'u Connection is Solid -Hawaii Sports Page -Must Read, Athlete ties to the small district