Tyler Nelson '21 Recruiting Profile

Hello, thank you for taking the time to look at my profile.

Why I am a good candidate for your team:

I am a leader, but not in the overconfident way. I have a good sense of humor which helps me get to know people and be a good team mate. I lead by encouraging, working hard and helping my teammates get stronger and faster.

Coaching and Results 

One of the great privileges I have in running for Heritage High School is my Coach, Chryste Gaines. She is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the women's 4x100 (1996, Atlanta). Her influence in my training and competitive outlook has had a huge impact on my success. To get the insight and guidance from someone who has been at the very top of the sport has had a huge impact on the kind of athlete I am and will be in the future.

I do not give up. I learned that from my coaches at Heritage. I had a race recently where I got fourth. Normally I wouldn't talk about a race where I placed that low, but in truth it is a great example of my attitude.

At most track meets the 800 and 1600 are several hours apart. But on this day, they were just 58 minutes apart.

I had just run my PR in the 1600, so when I lined up to start the 800, my legs kind of felt like lead. When the gun sounded, all the fresh 400 guys who didn't just run the mile took off and I went straight to the back.

Things looked bad and at the end of the first lap I thought my chances of going to the State Championship in the 800 were over. But I kept my speed and watched as three of the six people in front of me began to slow down. Despite my body screaming at me to stop, I gave it everything I had and in the last 250 caught them all. You can see the end of that race in my video profile.

After the race, my Dad said, "Son, you only needed to get sixth to qualify for State. Why did you push so hard to get fourth?"

"Because I knew I could catch him," I said.

The next week at State, I placed 5th overall.  That is the attitude and determination I will bring that to your team.

Academics

Aside from my competitive spirit, I am a good student. If you select me for your team, my grades will help.

I am trustworthy and honest. If you ask me to do something, I'm going to do it and I won't complain while doing it.

I have a great attitude. I love to run. I love to compete.