East’s athletes are ready to shine as the outdoor track season begins. Edward Bozett, a standout runner on the track team, has been nominated by his head coach, James Milner, for embodying the E.A.S.T values: Excellence, Academics, Spirit, and Tradition.

Over the last four years, senior Eddie Bozett has shown a strong commitment to the sport, becoming a key runner on East’s Track and field team. He is a multiple-time state qualifier and earned All-State honors at the 2024 Track and Field State Finals. Bozett has also demonstrated his ability to manage academic and extracurricular responsibilities by serving on the robotics team and the Student-Athlete Leadership Team.

James Milner, head coach of Boys Track and Field, has witnessed Bozett grow into a leader both on and off the track over the years.

“Eddie has been a member of both the cross country and track & field team for four years,” Milner said. “He’s participated in all of the off-season programs as well.”

Milner emphasized Bozett’s commitment to his teammates and his role as a coach for the younger athletes.

“Eddie is a great leader on our team. He’s always willing to help others and he does a fantastic job teaching our younger athletes about life and sport,” Milner said.

John and Darlene, Bozett’s parents, have seen firsthand how his development at East has shaped him into the person he is today.

“At East, Eddie’s growth was influenced by instructors who emphasized the importance of character,” Bozett’s parents said. “This environment helped Eddie show more empathy, and become more conscientious, organized, and focused, which has supported his exceptional academic achievements.”

Eddie’s parents believe that his willingness to help others and passion to improve are key to his success.

“His passion for improvement is evident in his training, as well as his willingness to help others, such as volunteering at junior high athlete camps and meets and other community events,” Bozett’s parents said. 

As the season goes on, Bozett has set high expectations for himself and the team and hopes to excel at the state finals.

“My team wants to go to state for a handful of events and I want to go for the 4x800m and the 1600m,” Bozett said. “I also want to set the school record for the 1600m which is currently 4:15:33.”

In the fall, Bozett will major in Chemical Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He wants to help address important global issues related to human health, energy sustainability, and the climate. His interest in physics, engineering, and math has grown because of his teacher’s passion for these subjects, preparing him for a future in which he hopes to have a big impact.

Eddie Bozett is an excellent example of what it means to be a student-athlete. He stands out as a great leader because of his commitment to his sport, studies, and community. Eddie is certain to continue to succeed and motivate others around him as he gets ready to go on to new stages of his life.

“The program at Oswego East is filled with passionate coaches and committed teammates who continually push each other to be their best. Through this journey, he has not only developed as an athlete but also individual and gained valuable life skills,” Bozett’s parents said.

Written by Seniors Morgan Luberda and Zach Jacobson. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.