April 17 was one of the best days of Plant City High School two-sport athlete Tyreke Harrison’s sports career. At the 4A-District 7 track and field championships, Harrison placed first in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and was anchor leg in the boys 4×100 relay. The junior is also one of the football team’s top defensive players and plans to continue with the sport in college.
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I’m sure you knew you ran well at districts, but how did you feel when you found out you ran well enough for three district championships?
Coach (Drew Martucci) asked me how I think I ran (in the 200). Seeing that I ran a 22.4 really brought tears to my eyes. I’ve never run like a 22.4. Just looking at my times and everything, all the hard work out here on the track, it was like it was starting to pay off.
What are your goals for the rest of the postseason?
Come in top four at regionals. Basically, take one step at a time. The ultimate goal is to get to states.
A lot of your track teammates also play football with you in the fall. How does having that extra chemistry with the guys help you all out here?
We’ve already had that family bond, so it makes us push each other harder.
Everybody’s got a different answer to this question, but what are you looking for in a college program before you sign anywhere?
Nine times out of 10 at the majority of schools I want to go to, they try to tell me stuff like what I want to hear from their campus. (I’m looking) for the coaches to ask me questions and stuff like without being school-related. When I went to Georgia State, the coach was talking to me about life after college and everything. He was asking me if I really see myself living in the Atlanta area and everything after school. It just had me open my mind.
So you’re looking for coaches and programs that will keep it real with you all the way.
Yes, sir.
What do you want to study in college?
It’s like a little coin toss between physical therapy and sports management.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve done in your athletic career?
I’m saying winning districts. Crossing the finish line in first place and getting my times back, it was basically a little shock to me, actually seeing I’m approaching the school records. I’m almost there. I’d like if, by the end of next year, we’re having this same conversation and I actually broke the school records.
What’s been your proudest moment as an athlete?
Freshman year, moving up to varsity (football). My first game was against Durant. The atmosphere with the Durant vibe and everything, that’s our rivalry, from the coin toss you felt the intensity of the area going through the roof. Right there, that’s one of my proudest moments.
What advice would you give to some young athlete coming up who has the same goals as you, wants to succeed at the highest level and set school records?
Hard work beats talent if talent fails to work hard. I grew up with my coaches always telling me that.