Tyrell Yardley Down But Not Out

By Clayton Cook

When Tyrell Yardley, from Syracuse, Utah, came to the 2010 Simplot Games, he was greeted with high expectations from pretty much everybody who has ever seen him run. Yardley was returning off his fourth place finish in the 60-meter race in 2009. Also, shortly after the games last year he set the all-time Utah record in the 200-meter race with a time of 21.15.

“I came back because I wanted to win the 400,” said Yardley.

That dream came to a screeching halt Friday morning when Yardley tore his hamstring while winning his 400-meter heat. Yardley was not only forced to scratch from his 60-meter heat later that day, but forego the rest of the competition completely.

Yardley described the injury as “disappointing but not heartbreaking.”

With Yardley’s record time in the 200 and Utah’s second best times ever in the 400 and 100, he is among the best sprinters ever to come from the state of Utah. Although he says Utah has some great runners, Yardley admits he enjoys competing against the best competition in the nation, which the Simplot Games bring every year. “I really enjoy the competition of the Simplot Games,” said Yardley.

Although Yardley won’t be able to finish he career properly by winning the Simplot Games, he still has a huge track and field future in front of him. After recently signing with Brigham Young University on February 3, he will compete one year for the Cougars before going on his LDS mission, and he plans on returning back to BYU for the remainder of his three years after.

“It should be fun,” said Yardley, who gives credit to his high school coach for his success, and looks forward to working with BYU’s staff. “They have coaches specialized for each event, which will allow for more one-on-one time with me and the coaches.”

Although Yardley will be “icing up and cheering on teammates” for the rest of the competition, there is still plenty of action to watch on Saturday as the 2010 Simplot Games wrap up.

Tyrell Yardley wins his heat in the 400-meter dash at Simplot Games.

Photo by Mike Roberts
mroberts@122bresnan.net

click photo for high resolution image