SPENCER TYLER

Highland Athlete

Hometown: Liberty Hill, TX
Resides: New Braunfels, TX
Ranked 3rd amongst American pros

How’d you get into Highland Games?:
I competed in track through college and one of my coaches, Quint Melius, recommended Highland Games and I haven’t looked back. I realized the sport was made for guys like me, it’s about having fun, challenging yourself, and camaraderie.

What’s your favorite event?
It would be a tie between heavy weight and sheaf toss.

Who do you train with?
I built a gym in my garage where I train with my wife, Olivia Tyler, who is one of the top female athletes in the country, Stephanie Robbins, and JoDan Minnick (currently 3rd ranked Light Weight competitor in the world, and world record holder Weight for Height at 18’7”). I’m also buddies with Matt Vincent (2nd place American), we competed against each other in college, and he’s really hard to beat!

Goals for 2016:
Break two world records, one in Heavy Weight for Distance and another in Sheaf Toss, and win a world title.

Any advice for someone looking to get into Highland Athletics?
Find someone REALLY good, who is close to you, and train with them. At a certain level you can train yourself, but it is crucial to find someone to show you the proper technique.

Highland Athletic Events pictured from left to right: Caber Toss, Heavy Hammer Throw, Weight for Distance, Weight for Height, Stone Putt, Light Hammer Throw, Sheaf Toss