Prospect Spotlight: Tyson Meyer – Minnewaska Area (2021)

Brian Jerzak May 15, 2021 @ 02:23 PM

Most high-level high school athletes know what sport they will be pursuing in college early in their high school careers. When an athlete breaks multiple school records in one sport, it would be natural to assume the athlete will compete collegiately in that sport. It would not be natural to assume that of Minnewaska Area senior<strong> Tyson Meyer</strong>. Meyer helped lead his team to a 3-4 record and a berth in the COVID19 shortened section title game where the Lakers fell to New London-Spicer. During his three years starting at running back, the Lakers appeared in two section finals and a section semi-final. Meyer was also re-writing the Lakers ' record book while helping the team on deep runs in the playoffs. "I hold the school record for all-time scoring and all-time rushing record," Meyer said. "I started at running back and linebacker." Meyer did not go out of his way to try to make people miss. "I am a power runner," Meyer continued. "I think I had a good combination of speed and power. That is what made me successful." His gaudy numbers put him on the college football radar. "Concordia-St. Paul, Jamestown, Augsburg, Sioux Falls, and a lot of the Midwestern DII and DIII schools were recruiting me." However, his success on the football field pales in comparison to his success on the wrestling mat. Meyer started wrestling at a young age and is a five-time state entrant and a three-time state champion. Once he got into the varsity wrestling room, it became apparent the kid had a chance to go places on the mat. "In seventh grade, I would beat seniors sometimes. Then when I was an eighth-grader, I made it to State." After setting school records in football, Meyer became the all-time wins leader in Lakers' wrestling history. His domination on the mat starts by controlling matches on his feet. "I take good shots, and I have good defense," Meyer said. "I like either a high crotch or an outside single." When not on the mat or the football field, you can usually find Meyer outside. "I like to get out on the lake, hunt for waterfowl and bow fish. I like to deer hunt too." With so much success in two sports, Meyer was conflicted when thinking about his athletic future. "I didn't know what I wanted to do in college – wrestling or football – until my junior year. I love both sports and didn't want to decide." Meyer liked his options better, sticking with wrestling. "My scholarship offers were better in wrestling," Meyer said. "St. Cloud State reached out to me, and I got in touch with head coach Steve Costanzo and talked to him for a while. I went for a visit, and it seemed like they had a good culture; they are a place that wins. I met some guys on the team, and they seemed like good guys to be around." Meyer was also considering wrestling for North Dakota State. Although we will likely never see Meyer in football pads again, he did not end his high school career without making a major impact on and off the football field.