Chattanooga, TN – Tyler Boles has spent his senior year doing what he has done for most of his life: competing. Whether he is behind the plate for Sale Creek baseball, lining up on the football field, or competing on the water, the three-sport athlete enjoys the challenge that comes with each sport.
His love of sports started with his dad, Lee Boles, principal of Hamilton County Virtual School, who introduced him to athletics at a young age. His grandfather later sparked his interest in fishing.
Boles has played baseball since he was 4 and now catches for the Panthers. He also lines up at center and end for the football team and has competed on Sale Creek’s fishing team since his freshman year. Of the three, Boles loves each sport, but baseball may be his favorite.
Each sport has given Boles many memorable experiences. Last season, Sale Creek baseball reached the state tournament for the first time, while the football team made the deepest playoff run in school history.
Fishing brings a different kind of competition. On tournament days, Boles and his partner are on the water around 5 a.m., competing against anywhere from 100 to 300 other boats.
“I just really like the overall excitement of getting up early and competing,” Boles said.
One of his favorite fishing memories came last year when he weighed in his first fish after several years of competing. He continues to push himself, now hoping to catch the full five-fish limit at his next tournament.
For Boles, being a successful athlete is about more than what happens during competition. He said a good teammate is someone others can trust, and he prioritizes bringing a positive attitude to his teams, especially when things are not going their way.
“We could be down by a lot and just having someone that can pick everybody up is really helpful.”
That approach has been especially important during difficult moments in competition. When facing a strong opponent or coming off a disappointing play, Boles said the key is to stay focused on what comes next.
“You have to keep your head up high and focus on the next play,” he said.
That same commitment carries into the classroom. A senior taking calculus, Boles uses open class periods to work ahead when he can, making time for schoolwork alongside his practices and competitions.
“Stay focused on the schoolwork,” Boles advises other student-athletes. “There’s always time that you can make to get it done.”
After graduation, Boles plans to attend the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and hopes to pursue a career with TVA. Following a recent job-shadowing opportunity, he is especially interested in mechanical engineering.
With one more season ahead, Boles has plenty of goals for his final year at Sale Creek Middle High School— from another deep football playoff run and a return to the state baseball tournament to seeing what he can accomplish on the water.
Keep up the great work, Tyler! We can’t wait to see what else you accomplish.
