Tyner Academy senior Alexis Wilson, who won the TSSAA state 100- and 200-meter titles as a freshman, signed a track scholarship with Liberty University. exis is flanked by her mother, Cheril Wilson (left) and grandmother Emma Wilson.
photo by Dennis Norwood
Tyner Academy track star Alexis Wilson wants to get back to her winning ways.
Wilson is trying to regain the form that earned her TSSAA state track titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in 2013 to conclude a sterling career at Tyner.
Since capturing the titles Wilson has been competitive but hasn’t brought back the gold, and that’s what the 17-year-old speedster is working on now.
“I’m working hard, training every day, this year and trying to make sure I get back to where I was as a freshman,” said Wilson, who on Thursday signed a track scholarship to Liberty University in the academy library.
As a high school rookie, Wilson ran a 12.24-second 100-meter to claim the state crown. She followed up with a 25.39 and became a double winner in the 200-meter sprint.
In 2015, Wilson finished second (12.29) and fourth (25.86) in those same two events.
The following spring Wilson finished third in the 100 with a time of 21.56.
That junior season is what Wilson has been trying to put in the rear view mirror.
A back problem caused consternation throughout the year, but she’s feeling more like her old self these days.
“I went downhill last year,” Wilson said. “I couldn’t do much of anything and I wasn’t where I was two years before. This year I’m a senior and have to get my mind right so I can accomplish some goals I want to reach before leaving Tyner. That was a great feeling in my freshman year.”
What happened?
Doctors discovered a “little” crack in Wilson’s spine and it kept getting wider.
“I’ve got scoliosis,” Wilson said bluntly. “It bothers me, but I’m trying not to let it affect me.”
Scoliosis is not a disease, but a term that describes any abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine, according to webmd.com. It is not caused by activity, such as sports, exercise nor carrying heavy objects; not does it result from sleeping positions, poster or differences in leg length.
What causes scoliosis is unknown.
There are three primary treatment options in adolescents: observation, back braces or surgery.
At this juncture, Wilson has not needed surgery.
Exercise is highly recommended to keep back muscles strong and flexible and track is a good way for Wilson to keep the condition under control.
“After my therapy, I just told myself that I have to deal with this,” Wilson said prior to signing national letter-of-intent papers from Liberty University. “It is not as bad as it was before, so I’m fine.”
Brant Tolsma is the Liberty track and field coach and is in his 31st year with the program. Tolsma directed the Flames cross country and track and field teams to 30 out of a possible 40 Big South Conference titles.
In the 2009-10 athletic year, the veteran coach guided the Flames and Lady Flames sweep all six Big South titles (men's cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field and women's cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field).
Only 10 schools in NCAA Division I history have managed that feat.
“I’ve been on plenty of college visits,” Wilson said, “but I wasn’t interested in those schools after visiting Liberty. “I know I’ll be happy there.
“I liked the campus and I always wanted to go somewhere that felt like home. Liberty is that place. And, honestly, they were about the only school that offered me anything at all. So, I was, like, why not? I’ll be able to go up there and do what I really love to do, and that’s to run track.”
Wilson spent this past summer competing with the Chattanooga Thunder track club.
(Contact Larry Fleming at larryfleming44@gmail.com and on Twitter @larryfleming44)