MILLER – There are many multi-sport high school athletes in South Dakota, but few cover the variety of activities that Tyra Gates does.

The Miller High School senior is involved in volleyball, basketball, track and field, and rodeo. Gates has excelled in each of those sports, and has played a major role in the Rustlers’ success so far this school year.

In volleyball, Gates was influential in leading the Rustlers to the Class A state tournament appearance last fall from her setter position. Miller earned a fourth-place finish in the tournament and Gates gained some valuable lessons from the experience.

“I took a lot away from volleyball. It was a very memorable season,” Gates said. “We had been struggling the past years, and this year we really stepped up and took the initiative to do well and succeed.”

Gates and the Rustlers carried that momentum over to the basketball court and have continued to have success.

Although she enjoys the other sports she is involved in, Gates says that basketball sticks out as her favorite.

“It’s a toss-up between basketball and rodeo, but I am going to college to play basketball,” Gates said.

The future Dakota Wesleyan University basketball player is a guard on the Rustlers who will be competing in the SoDak 16 Thursday night. The Rustlers take on Rapid City Christian in Philip for the right to advance to next week’s State A tourney.

Gates brings a variety of skills to the squad, according to Miller coach Trey Tiefenthaler.

“Tyra is an overall great player,” Tiefenthaler said. “Some strengths would be that she can see the floor well and hit the open girl when needed. Another strength of hers is the fact that things never seem to bother her. Her mental toughness is up there with the best of them.”

Some of that toughness is on display in the sport of rodeo where Gates participates in several events. At the high school level, she is involved in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, and breakaway roping. She is also involved in 4H rodeo, where she participates in those same four events, as well as the ribbon roping event.

It’s only natural that Gates loves rodeo. Her dad, Casey, was a former standout bull rider from Aberdeen. His impact has meant a lot in her journey through the sport.

“He’s always there to help me or encourage me to keep going or offer some positive feedback on how to get through that situation,” Gates said. “He’s been through it himself, so he knows what I’m going through and what I’m feeling, and he’s more understanding than someone that didn’t go through it.”

Although Gates and the Rustlers are still playing basketball, she is also looking forward to the track season this coming spring.

“I look forward to my hurdles,” Gates said. “I made it to Howard Wood. We were Class B too last year, and now we’re Class A, so it’ll be a little bit more competitive. I’m looking forward to having another strong relay team with my teammates.”

Gates was a part of Miller’s 4×400 relay team that placed sixth at the state meet last year, and was also on the 4×100 relay team that placed third at state.

As her high school career comes to a close, Gates says she has learned valuable lessons that she can take with her for the rest of her life, including trusting her teammates.

Tiefenthaler says Gates has been an enjoyable player to coach and feels that she will continue to succeed after high school.

“She is the ultimate team player, always looking to make the right play, always bringing a positive attitude and outlook on things,” Tiefenthaler said. “Her coachability makes my job easy and her ability to take feedback is a key to continued success.”

He also believes that Gates will excel at the next level as a college basketball player.

“First and foremost, I believe she’ll bring a winning attitude with her to the program,” Tiefenthaler said. “Secondly, I see her excelling at the point guard position, making the right play, and taking the ball into her hands when it needs to be. I see Tyra having a great college career and I’m excited to watch her.”

Before her college basketball career begins, however, Gates is focused on finishing her high school career on a high note with a win during the SoDak 16.

“Our number one goal this year is to make it to state as a team,” Gates said. “My goal is just to finish my senior year strong, the best I can, and leave the best impact on the younger kids that are still playing.”