Tyson Omar Riley II is a senior at Evans High School and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Since the age of three, Tyson has participated in Track and Field and is coached by his mother Andrea G. Riley.

Riley is the current Region 3-6A Champion in the 100m. He is a New Balance National Indoor Qualifier in the 60m, and an Outdoor Qualifier in the 4x100m relay and the 100m.  A 4x AAU Junior Olympian/1x USATF Junior Olympian, Riley is also an active member of the Culinary and Youth Ministry at Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Youth Choir. He was nominated for the Young Author’s Award in the 2018-2019 school year, and he is the current school record holder in the 200m with a time of 21.99.  Riley has three siblings: Geneva Carolyn (15), Olivia Gabrielle (13) and Noah Lambert (11).

When did your interest in running track and field start?
I was in the 3rd grade when I first started running and I haven’t look back.

Who has been your greatest mentor in the sport of track and field?
My mother, Andrea Riley. My mother pushed and guided me in the sport I love. She also picked up several Track & Field certifications along the way. She is the assistant Track & Field coach at Evans High School and has obtained a Level 3 in USATF and Level 5 in IAAF.

What has been your biggest track and field accomplishment to date, and what is your dream race or goal?
My biggest accomplishment in Track & Field is running my personal best in the 100M (@ 10.86) and in the 200M (@ 21.99). By running these times, I’ve been able to speak with several colleges and universities during the recruiting period. My dream race was to run in the AAU/USATF Junior Olympics. As credited to my hard work, I have run in the AAU Junior Olympics 4 consecutive years and in the USATF Junior Olympics once. My long-term goal is to run professionally as a sprinter.

Is there anything you’d tell young student runners to help them? Any advice you might share?
Self-confidence is an important value that I have learned through my involvement in high school sports. For example, being relaxed just before a meet is key to a great race. When I am relaxed, I am confident that my performance will be successful.

Do you have any pre-meet rituals or foods you like to eat?
My pre-meet rituals are listening to music, eating goldfish, baked barbeque chips and pineapples.