Tyler Mathews, a Brigham Young-bound senior at Red Mountain High who holds Arizona state records in the 800 meters at 1:48.72, the 4x800-meter relay at 7:41.40 and the distance medley relay at 10:18.85, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss returning to compete April 5-6 at the 56th Arcadia Invitational at Arcadia High in California. Mathews placed second in the invitational 800 last year in 1:49.32 and ranks No. 7 in meet history with the performance, with former Bell Gardens High of California star and national record holder Michael Granville also boasting the Arcadia Invitational all-time mark of 1:47.96 from 1995. He is also scheduled to join Roman Smith, Ryan Martin and Matthew Hamilton competing April 5 in the 4x800 relay, with Red Mountain pursuing the meet record of 7:42.36 established in 2003 by Long Beach Poly from California. Mathews reflects on the Mountain Lions producing the state DMR record March 15 at their Red Mountain Rampage home meet, and how meaningful it was to add that mark to the program legacy under the guidance of distance coach Steven Selby and head track and field coach Josh Barge. He revisits competition during the winter indoor season, including multiple trips to The Armory in New York for the 116th Millrose Games, as well as Nike Indoor Nationals, and how valuable the experiences were in preparation for competing at the collegiate level. Mathews also speaks about how significant it has been to be highlighted as part of the Nike Elite Program and how much the community of scholar-athletes has enhanced his experiences at meets this year and will continue to do so throughout the season, including the competition at Arcadia. He also speaks about how much of a weight has been lifted having already decided during the fall to attend BYU, and how Mathews has been able to enjoy his senior year without the pressure of making official visits or communicating with college coaches. Mathews also examines how profound it is to have family living in Utah, and how important their support has been not only in his selection of BYU, but throughout his career. He also speaks about how much the depth of the Red Mountain program has contributed to his improvement, and how much he looks forward to training under coach Ed Eyestone with future teammates in Provo. Mathews analyzes how much he and his teammates learned last year with the addition of the Open State Championships in Arizona, a week following the Division 1 state final, and preparing physically, mentally and emotionally for eight races in less than 10 days that contributed to winning a boys team title, in addition to his excitement for being able to compete again with his teammates in June at Nike Outdoor Nationals at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.