By Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent
Richmond Hill’s Eddie Howell has definitely chosen a different path in order to establish himself as one of the top runners in the state.
The Wildcats junior once considered wrestling as possibly his primary high school sport. Howell spent two years on the mats in his freshman year and this past season.
“Wrestling was fun,” recalled Howell. “My dad was a wrestler. I only did it for two years, but I enjoyed battling it out with people on the mat.”
In addition to wrestling. Howell tried soccer from ages three to 13 before he took a direct path into track. His track career began earnestly in middle school, not as his primary sport.
“I started track in seventh grade because some of my friends ran,” said Howell. “ I wanted to get in shape for soccer. That’s when I started to run the 1,600-meter and 800m races.
“I wasn’t serious about track until ninth grade and after that year I quit all other sports to pursue running.”
Those races have been Howell’s primary focus as he continues to establish himself among his fellow runners.
This season, Howell has set personal bests in the 800 (154.56) at the Terry Long FSU Relays, and in the 1,600 (4.19.90) at the Apex Invite. He also won the 800 (158.35) at the Apex.
There has been a steady decline in his times in both races. Howell posted a time of 2.02.62 in the 800 in 2024 followed by a time of 1.56. 23 last year. In the 1,600, Howell recorded a time of 4.41.00 in ‘24 and a clip of 4.42.16 last year.
Head coach Levi Sybert has been pleased, watching Howell’s progression over the last three years.
“He is a great leader,” said Sybert. “He always has a positive attitude. Eddie holds the second fastest times in program history in the 1600 and 800 times.
“He’s only a junior. Last year, he just kept getting better each week last year. He has already lowered his times a couple of times this year, and we know he will continue to lower them.”
Howell has noticed his development on and off the track. He took upon the role of a leader this year, but it has been in a less conventional position.
“This season my role on the team has shifted as I am a leader,” said Howell. “It hasn’t been an easy task because I am not a vocal one, but it’s one that I am working to get better at.”
Howell sees plenty of opportunities ahead for the remainder of the regular season and postseason. He has set his bar high.
“Last year went well for me, as I progressed but didn’t quite reach the goals I had set,” said Howell. “Coming into this season I didn’t work on anything in particular but I came in fit and hungry to make a name for myself. My goals this year include winning a state title, breaking some school records, and competing with the top athletes in Georgia.”