Launching off the ground. Soaring through the air. Clearing the bar. Sophomore Tyson Turner has made his mark as part of the school’s track and field team with his abilities in the high jump event and has shown his commitment to becoming the best athlete he can be. 

“When I was little, I was pretty good at high jump, and I loved it,” Tyson said. “I later realized I could make a future out of it if I kept putting in the work.”

At the district track meet, Tyson earned second place with a jump reaching 6’4”.

“I just came back from an injury to my shoulder so I haven’t been able to practice for a few weeks, and it was my first time coming back,” Tyson said. “It wasn’t my best, but that just means I’ll have to work harder for future meets.”

Tyson continues to put in work this season and has long term goals of being on the track team at a school like Texas A&M, Auburn, or Oregon. 

“I have always loved track and have always been good at the high jump event so it has just stuck with me,” Tyson said. “I need to work on holding my arch long enough to get over the bar because you can have a bunch of leg power, however it is the arch that will determine my height.”

High jump coach Matthew Rice sees a deep desire for greatness in Tyson and is excited about his future.

Tyson’s abilities have helped him reach extraordinary heights, but he also has a determination running through his veins like no other. 

“So far he has cleared 6’8” in the high jump, which is really good, but the school record is 7’0 so that is what he has his eye on,” Rice said. “Last year, he was just a freshman, so he has gotten a lot stronger which helps with his technique. I only see him getting better over the next two years.”

Tyson pushes himself to the limits by practicing four or five times a week in order to ensure the best outcome in future meets.

“I mostly work on leg power and acceleration by doing a lot of squatting,” Tyson said. “I need to work on holding the arch above the bar to get a little more height. My goal by the end of the year is to jump at least seven feet.”

Tyson’s athletic abilities are easily recognized by his coach and peers, and in addition they have been able to see the kind of person he is and how he approaches life off the track.

“Tyson works really hard,” Rice said. “He works hard at everything and is always trying to get better at all the aspects. He is somewhat of a perfectionist and he always tries to perfect all the little things that will help him get to the next level.”