Iola standout signs to run track at Emporia

With his sights set on becoming a teacher, Iola High senior Tyler Powelson will take advantage of his athletic abilities to aid his pursuit.
Powelson signed scholarship papers Wednesday to run track at Emporia State University in the fall.
Powelson lauded Emporia State’s educational programs for prospective teachers.
“There really wasn’t another choice,” he said, although he received letters from coaches at Fort Hays State University. “It was pretty much Emporia all along.”
Powelson also opted to run track instead of playing basketball, where he was a two-time All-Pioneer League player for the Mustangs.
“I love basketball, but I’m probably not the best at it,” he said.
Powelson’s running has earned him plenty of hardware. He qualified for the state track meet in both the 1600 and 3200 meters as a junior.
He also was Pioneer League champion in cross country his junior year before shifting his focus to football his senior year.  He began his senior track season last week, finishing third in his first 1600 race of the season at Labette County.
Powelson will focus primarily on the 1600 in college, he said, but he also may run some cross country.
He’s the son of Terry Powelson, an ag instructor at Allen Community College, and Deena Powelson, a math instructor at Ottawa High School.
“That was a huge part of it,” he said of wanting to become a teacher. “I grew up in an educational atmosphere.”