It was an injury that many never return from, and yet junior
Matthew Tyeskie has beaten the odds to become one of Little Rock's all-time great hurdlers.
Tyeskie came to Little Rock from Kilgore High School in Texas, where he was a five-time state finalist. He was also ranked 40th in the nation in the 110-meter hurdles entering college.
"Growing up, I was always running around. I grew up in the country—Kilgore, Texas. I come from a long line of elite sprinters and athletes. I tried going over my first hurdle in seventh grade, and I was naturally good at it," Tyeskie said.
Head coach
J.P. Behnke quickly recognized his talent and recruited him to become a Trojan.
"Matthew was a highly recruited hurdler from Texas who was also a strong student academically," Behnke said. "I could tell he was passionate about hurdles and a student of the sport. We had one of his former high school teammates on our team who was running very well for us, which I think was a factor in him making his decision to sign with the Trojans."
The Trojans had only been in the Ohio Valley Conference for one year when Tyeskie arrived. The program had just finished second in both indoor and outdoor championships the following season, its highest finishes in conference history. Tyeskie quickly emerged as a breakout star.
"My big cousin
Cameron Jackson graduated and excelled here, and he was able to get Coach B interested enough in me to grant me a visit," Tyeskie said. "On my visit, I was met with open arms by the team, and I already felt like I was part of the team."
His freshman campaign was one for the record books. The Trojans swept the 2024 Ohio Valley Conference track and field championships, with Tyeskie playing a major role. He finished as the sixth-ranked freshman nationally in the 110-meter hurdles and 45th overall, while also breaking the OVC record with a time of 13.70.
"Matthew definitely exceeded expectations his freshman year, winning the OVC and being one of the top freshman hurdlers in the country," Behnke said. "We had a very strong hurdle squad that year. He and Cogan Derouselle went back and forth taking turns breaking the school record, so expectations were very high going into his sophomore year."
But just as momentum was building, adversity struck. In November 2024, Tyeskie suffered a full Achilles tear, an injury that has ended many athletic careers.
"Of course I was bummed out that I wouldn't be able to compete for my team's sake, but I always knew I would be able to come back quick and stronger than ever," Tyeskie said. "Delayed does not mean denied. The injury itself hasn't defined me. It was more the rehab and process of return. It fortified my discipline and strengthened my faith in the Most High in Christ and my confidence to overcome anything I go through."
He spent his sophomore season sidelined, focusing entirely on recovery and rehabilitation. But throughout the process, his mindset never wavered.
"I got the phone call that he tore his Achilles over Thanksgiving break, about two weeks before our first indoor meet," Behnke said. "Injuries that serious have ended athletic careers, so initially you're not sure what to think. But Matthew made it obvious he was going to do whatever it took to get back. He started rehab immediately after surgery and was ahead of schedule every step of the way."
Behnke also credited the athletic training staff for their role in Tyeskie's recovery.
"The hope was that he would run close to the times he did his freshman indoor season, so to see him break the conference record 14 months after surgery is amazing," Behnke said. "I also have to give a lot of credit to our athletic training staff for the countless hours helping him get to this point."
Support from the coaching staff and trainers played a key role in his return, especially from coach Behnke.
"He's had my back ever since I got here. He does what he can to make sure I'm taken care of, and I appreciate that," Tyeskie said. "The first thing he told me when I called him after I tore my Achilles was, 'Your comeback story is going to be even greater.' My strength and conditioning coach, Cody, always encourages me to continue working hard and staying the course. I'm so grateful for the support I've received from them."
At the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships, Tyeskie stormed back to claim the conference title in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking a 7.83. The time broke both the Little Rock school record and the OVC record.
"It means a lot honestly. I use it as motivation to continue to show up and contribute for my team," Tyeskie said. "It's a testament to those around me. I couldn't have done it without my coaches giving me the opportunity to still be here and our training and medical staff helping and encouraging me every step of the way."
