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Southside’s Carson Edwards made the most of his senior sports season. He earned the soccer teams Defensive Player of the Year award for his work in goal, wrestled and is the starting first baseman on the baseball team. The Dunn native moved to Chocowinity with his family when he was seven and has found a home in the east.

1. Which sport have you been playing the longest?

Carson: Baseball by far. I started in tee ball back in Dunn and played travel ball, then showcase ball up and down the east coast and now I’m in the middle of my senior year. Time goes by fast. I didn’t play soccer until my junior year and didn’t wrestle until this winter.

2. How did you find your way to the other sports?

Carson: I played one year of soccer at Unity Christian before I transferred here. Coach (Jay) Petty taught me in Physical Science my sophomore year and he kept after me to play. Some of guys on the team also encouraged me, so I came out for summer drills before my junior year and ended up starting in goal. It’s been really fun and I wish I had played my first two years here. Joining the wrestling team happened because Caleb Dixon and I made a deal. I said I would wrestle if he played soccer. It was great having him on defense with me this fall, but I took my lumps from him during wrestling practice this winter. It was fun getting a look at a different sport and I really enjoyed being around Coach Dixon and my teammates. It passed the time until baseball season.

3. What do you like most about baseball?

Carson: That we get to come out to the field every day to try to improve. Every day is a new day and a chance to learn something new. We try give good effort and have good attitudes every practice and game and it’s been fun watching the younger guys improve. There’s a mental side to baseball that I like because there are new challenges every day. We almost made the playoffs last year and our goal is to get there this year. We’re off to a good start, so we have a shot if we keep working.

4. What are your plans after graduation?

Carson: To go to Cape Fear Community College for their Fire Protection Technology program. It’s paid for and I have an internship set up with the Carolina Beach Fire Department that could lead to my first job. The other option is to attend Bryant & Stratton CC in Virginia Beach to play baseball. I will decide soon.

5. How did you get interested in being a fireman?

Carson: Several of my friends volunteered at the Chocowinity Fire Department and I started doing that when I was 14. I’ve taken a lot of Coach (Otis) Harrell’s Fire & Public Safety Academy classes and just about have my EMT certification. He has been a great role model and a huge influence on me. He’s taught me everything and has always been very encouraging. I’ve done some interior burn training, but won’t turn 18 until August, so I can’t do it for real. It will be exciting to help others when that day comes.