Ankeny sprinter Tyler Sickerson is fully healthy now, and he’s made his college plans.
The senior announced his verbal commitment over the weekend to join the Northern Iowa men’s track and field program in the fall of 2025.
“I really liked the team and coaches at UNI,” said Sickerson. “I have a lot of teammates that I ran with in the past that already run at UNI so I think it will be a smooth transition.”
Four of Sickerson’s former Ankeny teammates–Carter Accola, Jake Bosch, Levi Hill and Justice Miller–are currently on the Panthers’ roster. Nathan Wilde, a former Ankeny Centennial thrower, is also a member of the UNI squad.
Sickerson said he picked the Panthers over two other programs.
“I looked at a decent amount of schools, mainly around the Midwest,” he said. “I had three main offers I was considering when I committed.”
Sickerson emerged as a potential star as a freshman in 2022, when he helped the Hawks to a third-place finish in Class 4A. He ran on the state champion sprint medley relay as well as the fifth-place 4×200 and seventh-place 4×100 relays.
As a sophomore, Sickerson helped Ankeny to a runner-up finish in Class 4A. He placed fourth in the 100, seventh in the 200 and anchored the third-place 4×100 and 4×200 relays.
Last spring, Sickerson was off to a good start in his junior season before his campaign was derailed by a hamstring injury. He could only watch as the Hawks captured the Class 4A championship.
However, Sickerson has fully recovered.
“I’m extremely happy with where I am right now,” he said. “My hamstring is stronger than ever before, and I’m running faster than ever before. I’m excited for this upcoming season and also my future at UNI.”