This was a no-brainer for Matthew Edwards.

Edwards couldn’t sign his National Letter of Intent for Air Force Academy fast enough.

The TCA runner will have the opportunity to continue his family’s Air Force legacy, while getting to run for a cause greater than himself.

The cross country and track and field star made it official Monday during The Classical Academy’s signing day event.

Edwards said he’s “excited” for next year.

“From my grandpa to my dad, we’ve always had a rich history of people in our family in the Air Force,” Edwards said. “My grandpa, he didn’t go to the academy, but he served in the Air Force. Then seeing my dad growing up in the Air Force. That was a model in showing me that was a great way to live life and a meaningful way to serve your country and help those around you.”

However, as a junior, life nearly jeopardized Edwards’ shot to compete.

Edwards had stress fractures in his left leg, which halted his training and required him to miss a portion of the cross-country season.

But he said, “A set back is apart of the journey.”

“That (injury) did make me a little nervous, but having such reliant and faithful coaches and family who supported me was huge,” Edwards said. “That could have been career ending. But I decided I didn’t want that. Also, (Air Force coach Ryan) Cole had unwavering faith in me. He knew I was injured, but he knew I’d get better.”

Titans coach Matthew Norton serenaded Edwards during the ceremony and listed a slew of Edwards’ accomplishments to the audience.

Those successes include, a two-time state champion in cross country, the fastest 5K time in Titans’ cross-country history, and a 3,200-meter state championship in track and field.

Norton also mentioned that at the Arcadia Invitational in California, on April 6, Edwards set the sea-level school record for the 2-mile race at 8 minutes, 54.37 seconds.

That stat garnered a round of applause and brought a smile to Edwards’ face.

But Edwards’ most notably beamed when Norton mentioned the importance of signing with Air Force.

“Being able to follow in your dad’s footsteps in that way is amazingly special and an awesome accomplishment and opportunity,” Norton said. “I know how much that means to Matthew and his family. … We’re proud of you and looking forward to these next few weeks.”

Wenger heading to Oral Roberts

Jordan Wenger smiled as his track and field coach described his talent.

Wenger, a multi-sport athlete at The Classical Academy, continued to beam and briefly ducked his head as Titans track and field coach Tim Daggett described the senior’s athletic prowess as “up and down.”

He meant no disrespect, that’s how Daggett highlighted Wenger’s jumping ability as the senior on Monday signed his National Letter of Intent to compete at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., next season.

“The kid can jump out of the gym … and very high. And far,” Daggett said during TCA’s signing event at the school. “Jordan is talented and resilient and has presence when he shows up in the room. He is also a great teammate and a faithful friend.”

Wenger owns the school record in the long (22 feet, 6 ½ inches), triple (47-2 ½) and high jumps (6-9) and is a three-time state champion with a pair of triple jump titles and a high jump medal.

Willis signs with South Dakota

Not even an injury could stop Anna Willis from raising the bar on and off the track for The Classical Academy.

Willis signed a National Letter of Intent on Monday to pole vault at the University of South Dakota.

“I had surgery on my (right) wrist in the fall and got to branch out from pole vaulting,” Willis said. “When I couldn’t pole vault, that really showed me the love that I have for pole vaulting and the passion came back the more I was unable to do the event that I love.”

Willis said she had a pain in her right wrist in April 2023 that kept her from pole vaulting for a month.

The Titans senior didn’t vault again until the 2023 State Track and Field Championship and Willis still managed a second-place finish with a mark of 11 feet.

As Willis waited for the pain to subside in her wrist, she never stopped competing and participated in the long and high jumps as a junior.

In June 2023, Willis competed in the long and high jumps at the 2023 USATF Colorado Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships at the Air Force Academy, placing third and first, respectively.

“She’s endured all levels of adversity – injury, weather, especially at the state meet,” track and field coach Tim Daggett said during the NLI event at The Classical Academy. “Anna is multi-event talented … and is our first Willis to do another event outside of pole vault. … Her 2024 story is still being written.”

Willis hopes to pencil in another state championship for her senior year story.