Chico State Athletics

Tyler stands as the most accomplished runner to have joined the ‘Cats distance squad.  As a senior at Gunn High School Tori qualified for the prestigious Foot Locker Championships and would go on to win the California State championship 3,200-meter title on the oval.  After a two year stint at the University of Washington, Tyler transferred to Chico State.  Having suffered through an impressive list of injuries and ailments during her running career up to this point it became the Wildcats’ No. 1 priority to keep the oft-injured yet very talented and hard working Tyler on the trails and out of the training room.  Although Tyler hasn’t been able to shake the injury bug fully, she has enjoyed two solid seasons of competition since joining the ‘Cats, both of which concluded with All-American performances at season’s end.  In cross country Tyler built momentum nicely into the postseason meets, placing 4th in the CCAA meet and 2nd at the West Region Championships (behind the defending NCAA Champ Jessica Pixler). At the NCAA meet Tyler was running among the top 10 overall when she slipped on a snow covered turn, fell and broke a rib and her foot.  Despite the fall, the broken bones, and the lost places, the gritty junior held on to finish 16th overall while earning her first All-American honor.

Recovery from the broken bones of XC limited winter track training but Tyler managed to work herself back into competitive shape as the season progressed.  An ill-timed injury at mid season left her with only one last opportunity to qualify for the NCAA track championships.  So at the CCAA Championships Tyler was relegated to running a sub 36:10 10k in windy rainy conditions while leading the entire race.  Almost lapping the entire field along the way Tori won her first CCAA title and gained one of the final spots on the line for the NCAA 10k.  Three weeks later Tyler ran among the leaders of the 10k for the first 23 laps before settling for a hard fought 4th place finish.  With good health and consistent training the ‘Cats faithful should have a lot to look forward to with Tori Tyler leading the way. 

Track Best Marks:
Mile: 5:03
3,000m: 9:51
5,000m: 16:51
10,000m: 35:57