Michael “Mike” Tyler, a senior at Lafayette High School, is one of the Bay Rivers District’s biggest standouts this year for both the indoor and outdoor track seasons.

Tyler joined the track team his sophomore year of high school, when he realized that he had a true talent for track and field. Competing in the long jump, high jump, and hurdles, Tyler has become one of the best track and field athletes in the country.

Though he is exceptional in every event he competes in, Tyler has a special love for the high jump. Jumping a height of 6’0 his sophomore year, and a height of 6’4 his junior year, Tyler has shown outstanding improvement. Jumping a record height of 6’10 this year, and breaking the Lafayette High School record in the high jump, Tyler has shown other competitors that he means business.

Tyler’s senior year on the track team has been nothing short of incredible. After breaking the school record, he was offered an opportunity of a lifetime. Tyler qualified for the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon as a chance to show the world what he was made of.

Unfortunately, Tyler had to decline the offer but said, “It felt incredible to be offered such an amazing opportunity, but I figured it would be best if I focused on getting into college and finishing the track season here at Lafayette.”

Lafayette indoor track team went to the state competition

this year, where Tyler jumped a height of 6’5 and become the state champion in high jump. Tyler also qualified for the New Balance Nationals in New York where he competed in the high jump and placed ninth.

 

In the middle of his junior year, Tyler received his first offer from a college that wanted him on their track and field team. February of 2016, Tyler received a full ride scholarship and committed to compete in track and field for Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

 

Tyler said, “It felt great to commit to Hampton University. It took a lot of weight off my shoulders and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for me.”

When asked who his biggest supporters were, Tyler replied, “My mom, my step-dad, and my uncle are why I am where I am today. They have pushed me to be the best and I give all of my thanks to them.”

With only nine weeks left in his senior year, Tyler plans to make the rest of the outdoor track season one for the record books. He announced, “I plan to overcome the doubts and do what I do best; high jump.”