The sound of spikes hitting the track, the snap of the hurdles, the quiet pause before takeoff at the high jump bar — that’s where Tishomingo senior Nataliea Schuler feels most alive. Her calm focus and explosive energy have carried her through six seasons of competition, shaping her into one of the school’s standout athletes.
Schuler competes in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and high jump, along with the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays. Out of all her events, high jump holds a special place for her. That’s where she made school history, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches and breaking a record that had stood untouched for 29 years. The moment she realized what she’d done, her coach was jumping for joy on the sidelines — a memory Schuler says she’ll never forget.
Coming into her senior season, she set two goals for herself: to claim the school record and to return to the state meet one last time. With her record-breaking jump already secured, she’s stayed locked in on finishing her high school career strong.
Her motivation comes from knowing her name will stay on the record board, at least until someone else surpasses it.
“Whether it’s one year or fifty years from now, I know the work I’ve put in will be there,” she said.
Behind every lap, jump, and hurdle, she credits her parents for being her biggest supporters. They’ve been in the stands, meet after meet, cheering her through every phase of her journey. Before each competition, she and her teammates pause together on the bus while their coach leads a prayer for safety and strength, a ritual that sets the tone for their day.
Schuler describes high jump as a balance of timing and precision. As the bar rises, perfecting form becomes more challenging. The hurdles events demand quick speed and focus, forcing her to stay sharp and disciplined. To prepare, she listens to music before her races and channels her energy into giving everything she has in every event.
What track has given her, she says, goes beyond medals and records. It’s helped her open up, connect with teammates, and step outside her comfort zone. In the Tishomingo track program, she’s found more than a team — she’s found a family.
After graduation, Schuler plans to pursue a career in nursing, with aspirations to eventually earn a Ph.D. in the field. But before that, she has one more season to finish and plenty more jumps to chase.
