WCHS senior Tyler Houvener will continue his running career at Grace College. Houvener is shown above with his parent Grace and James. In back is Grace College coach Jeff Raymond (Photo provided by Grace College Sports Information Department)

WINONA LAKE – Tyler Houvener has decided to continue his running career at Grace College.

The WCHS senior is a standout Tiger who runs both cross country and track.

Houvener was a state qualifier in cross country and helped the Tigers to a 12th-place finish as a team in the state race this fall.

“My parents both attended Grace, so I knew it was a great place,” Houvener said. “I wanted to go to a Christian college that was close to home and also push myself athletically to maximize my potential.”

Houvener, this spring,  has anchored the Tigers’ 4×800-meter relay team that ranks in the top 25 of the state. He has earned All-Conference honors in track and has a PR of 4:37 in the mile.

“It’s great to have a runner of Tyler’s caliber join our program, but I’m equally excited about his character and how he will fit in with our other student-athletes,” said Grace head coach Jeff Raymond. “He comes from a very good program and has been well-coached, so I know he can make an impact for us.”

Apart from running, Houvener was a member of Warsaw’s National Honor Society. Houvener, who is the son of James and Grace Houvener, hopes to major in biomedical engineering.

“Tyler Houvener has been a consistent runner over his four years for Warsaw,” said Warsaw boys track coach Matt Thacker. “He has become a great leader as a senior and anchors our 4×800 team. He is an extremely hard worker and humble young man who will do great things at Grace College.”