Tyler May gets stake in HOF, but no steak
Former Siuslaw standout blossomed into one of the nation's top decathletes
HOF Class of 2024:
Eric Daniel - Forrest Lewis - Alaura Little - Guy Mamac -
Max Perry - Katy Potter - Trevor May - Tyler May
The induction-dinner is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at the Florence Events Center.
By Don Hunt
Siuslaw graduate and member of the Siuslaw Athletic Hall of Fame
Tyler May says that he was a jack of all trades and a master of none during his athletic career at Siuslaw High School and Willamette University.
He got it half right.
May emerged as one of Siuslaw’s best track and field athletes in school history when he broke the school record in the discus (155 feet, 1 inch) and the decathlon (6,091 points), registered the second-fastest time in school history in the 110-meter high hurdles (14.54 seconds) and recorded the third-fastest time in the 300-meter hurdles (40.0). When May graduated he owned all of those records.
Those are masterful marks.
May didn’t quite win a state title with the Vikings, but he came close, twice finishing as the runner-up in the 110 hurdles.
But May’s greatest achievements came in college, where he blossomed into one of the premier decathletes in the nation at Willamette.
“My greatest thrills came in college,” said May, who recorded the No. 1 score nationally at the NCAA Division III level in 2006 when he racked up 7,200 points. He finished third at the national meet.
“I worked harder, developed more and the accolades came with it,” he added. “I enjoyed the decathlon. It keeps you busy. You’re never doing one event for very long.”
May’s best efforts in the 10-event decathlon were a 14.44 clocking in the 110 hurdles, a 48.2 time in the 400 and a pole vault mark of 13-11¾.
Those are masterful marks.
After college, May joined a club team comprised mostly of University of Oregon athletes called Team XO. He logged more decathlons and also competed in open events.
One of May’s most fun moments at Hayward Field came during an Oregon Twilight Meet. As he was getting ready to run the 800, Siuslaw track coach Chris Johnson, who was among the spectators, told May he would buy him a steak dinner if he ran under 2:10. May clocked 2:05.
“I’m still waiting for that steak dinner,” said May, laughing.
May has made a career of buying properties and working as a landlord in the Salem area. He uses much of his free time to sail in the tropics on his 52-foot, French-built boat with his wife and two children.