Tyler has goals on the run

Tierra Tyler can’t pitch a perfect game, complete every one of her pass attempts or shoot 100 percent from the floor.

But perfection in track and field is less clearly defined than in other sports, and it’s the chase of an elusive “perfect time” in the 100-meter dash that fuels the Western senior.

“I’m trying to work to a level where I’ve never really been,” Tyler said. “I take it really seriously.”

Though Tyler puts no specific time on perfection, she emphasizes constant improvement. The bar is already set high after a junior season that ranks among the best in state history.

Last year Tyler led the Warriors to their first girls track state title since 1984. She was the 4A state champion in the 100 (12.19 seconds) and 200 meters (25.0), and a member of Western’s winning 400 (47.64) and 800 (1:40.9) relay foursomes.

Tyler also set a Sunset Region meet record last season in the 100 (11.98).

Now the team captain hopes to finish her prep career with a third straight state 100 title.

“I pride myself most on my 100 meters,” said Tyler, whose personal best is 11.88. “That’s my main event I really focus on.”

At only about 5 feet tall, Tyler hasn’t been hindered by her height in the 200, in which stride length is more important than in the 100.

“For her stature, a lot of people didn’t expect that,” Western sprint coach Freddy Morrison said of Tyler’s 200 state title. “But the little girl put in work.

“We try to let her be explosive enough to put everybody behind.”

Tyler said Morrison has helped her improve technique by swinging her arms less while running.

“I used to have really bad form with my arms,” she said. “He really helped me to have straight form going up and down.”

Morrison said Tyler’s film study and attention to detail have provided an example for her younger teammates.

“She listens well, she’s very motivated and she loves to train,” he said. “How she carries herself is very professional. That sticks out the most.”

Tony Whitney, who coaches Western’s distance runners, said Tyler fulfills her role as captain beyond simply piling up points for her team.

“She’s also very supportive of her teammates,” he said. “That’s unusual sometimes with stars.”

Tyler said she has scholarship offers from New Mexico, New Mexico State and Northern Arizona, and expects to sign with a Division I school before the Aug. 1 deadline.

Beyond college, she already has designs on running on the largest stage of all.

“I’m really looking forward to running in college and then after college, making it to the Olympics,” Tyler said.

For now, Western is focused on winning another state crown. The Warriors return several of their best sprinters and have their sights set on the first repeat championship in program history.

“(Winning state) was one of the best things in my life other than the birth of my son,” Morrison said. “I know how hard they work. They wanted it very bad. It was good to give the school that.”