Sterling native Tyus Wilson earns All-American status at NCAA track meet
Tyus Wilson, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska and a Sterling, Kansas native, finished fourth and earned All-American status at Saturday’s NCAA Outdoor Track Meet in Austin, Texas. He cleared 7-feet-1 in the high jump.
Describe the feeling of getting a trophy at NCAA nationals.
The trophy is great, but I think the memories made with teammates, competitors, and family made the moment all worth it. I dreamed of doing something this big when I was little and I thought it was all about the trophy but it’s really not. There’s a whole lot more to life than cool looking trophies that are going to sit on a shelf for the rest of its life collecting dust. The joy of impacting others and having other impact you and to make those lifelong relationships is honestly the true reward.
Describe your 7-1 jump seconds before you take off, as you’re jumping and when you landed on the mat.
I had made the bar in warmups already, so I was totally confident in my ability to jump over it. I just told myself to do what I have done all year and it secured me a 4th place finish.
Describe your 7-3 jump. What were you thinking before you took off, as you jumped, as you landed?
My second attempt was the closest jump for sure. As a high jumper, typically you can just feel when you’re going to make a bar before you jump. Running in for my second attempt, I had that feeling. When I was over the bar, however, I got a little impatient and tried to force some rotation by dropping my hips, which in turn, knocked down my chance of attempting the next height.
Do you have a ritual you do prior to jumping?
Before, during, and after I jump, it is one constant prayer. As a side note, I am a Christian, meaning I recognize there is a perfect God that created this world. We as people, sadly, have fallen into sin (Romans 6:23, Romans 3:23) which is anything that misses the perfect standard God desires of us to live by. This sounds like really bad news for everyone, but the good news (gospel) is that Jesus Christ came to earth, fully human and fully God, to live a perfect life, die the death that we deserved, and raised to life to conquer death for us. Jesus is my savior and He has given me a new life. This doesn’t mean that I am perfect or will ever reach that, but it’s a believe that His work on the cross is enough to bring me back to a relationship with God and that I don’t have to do anything else to “earn” my way to Heaven. As a result, I want to do everything and live in a way that gives all the glory to Him. I want everyone to know that He can give anyone new life as well, as long as they believe and repent of their sin (Romans 10:9).
My sport is no exception to this. I want to do EVERYTHING to honor Him, and that includes giving Him my best effort and attention as I compete. I’ve been so happy to lead pre-meet Bible studies with my team and pre-competition prayer with all the competitors at the meets. It has really made every competition more fun and joyful and I don’t think it is by coincidence at all. God has given me a joy, I just want to share that with the world.
Does this earn you All-American status?
Yes. Top 8 earn first-team, 9-16 earn second-team, and 17-24 earn honorable mention.
What did your mom say to you and what did you tell her?
She gave me a big ol’ hug and told me that it was so fun to watch and that she was proud of what I accomplished. Then, we immediately talked about that second attempt at 2.21 that should’ve stayed on!
Have you impressed yourself?
I think it’s hard to impress myself because I am my biggest critic. I have a lot to still improve on as a high jumper. It’s tough because as a high jumper, you always end on 3 consecutive failures, so that’s what gets stuck with you immediately after the competition. It was nice to finally get back to being consistent over 7’ again this whole year.
What message does this send to small-town kids across the country?
You know, I don’t want them to remember me or my name or what I accomplished because I want God to get all the glory from it. I hope people can learn how to “do sports God’s way” or “do work God’s way” or have a “beach vacation God’s way” through what I say and do. I think that’s where joy is found. Chasing the next level of sports or work or social statues can only produce temporary pleasure until it leaves you empty and longing for more. My desire for everyone is to take delight in God and desire Him the most to see where He can take you. My story can only take people so far.
7-1 is a PR?
The 2.21 bar I went out on was a PR. But 7’1 was a great bar to make my first attempt.
When you received your trophy, tell me your emotions
I was actually the most emotional after I took my spikes off because I was filled with so much joy for giving God my best effort, but also sadness because it was my last meet with my teammate, Michael Hoffer, who I have jumped against/with since my freshman year of high school. This past year, we have gotten so close. He, like myself, is a Christian so we have been able to have some really good conversations and Bible studies together over the past year. He’s one that I will be deeply missing next year. His story is incredible though. His testimony of what God has brought Him through is incredible so I was so filled with joy to be able to compete one last time with him at that big stage!
Is it safe to say that God wore red today for you?
It’s safe to say that He wore red, yellow, green and everything in between. Those guys we competed with today were super special. I’ve never competed with a group of guys at this high of a level that genuinely wanted others to be competing at their best. It was the best moment of my season this year by far.
What’s next for Tyus Wilson?
This summer I have an FCA internship in Nebraska where I get to do camps and help with different training sessions to help high schoolers across Nebraska and the U.S. to do sport God’s way. It has been so freeing for me to experience and I want others to have the same!
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Nebraska's Tyus Wilson becomes All-American at NCAA Track Championships
