Cordell Tinch, a junior at Pittsburg State and the NCAA Division 2 Indoor record holder in the men's 60-meter hurdles at 7.50 seconds, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss his return to collegiate track and field for the first time in three years after previously competing in 2019-20 at Kansas. Tinch shares how he was encouraged by friend and former Kansas teammate Treyvon Ferguson to join the Pittsburg State program after attending Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, but also explains how he potentially considered not competing in the sport again. Tinch explains the enthusiasm he had for being part of the team after watching the Gorrillas compete Jan. 28 at the Wendy's/Pittsburg State Invitational, and how significant it was to finally return to competition Feb. 3-4 at the Washburn Open and elevate to the No. 12 all-time Division 2 performer in the men's long jump at 26-0.75 (7.94m). Tinch shares that he was unaware of breaking the program record in the 60 hurdles by running 7.66 at Washburn, and his motivation to challenge the previous Division 2 all-time mark of 7.53 established by Minnesota State's Myles Hunter in 2016. Tinch analyzes running 7.57 in the prelims Feb. 11 at the eighth annual Indoor Gorilla Classic and how meaningful it was to produce the Division 2 record by clocking 7.50 at the Robert W. Plaster Center. He also examines how empowering it is to have the fastest 60 hurdles effort among all collegiate athletes this season and how proud Tinch is about the depth of their group coached by Jesse Miller, including TJ Caldwell, who is the No. 3 all-time competitor in Division 2 at 7.64, as well as assistant coach Louis Rollins. Tinch shares how encouraging his consistency has been in the 60 hurdles with five of the top six performances in division history, in addition to how much he learned from a 7.88 effort in the final Feb. 17 at the Arkansas Qualifier. Tinch also speaks about adding the high jump to his schedule at the Division 2 championship meet after equaling the No. 12 all-time mark by clearing 7-3.25 (2.22m). He also revisits Ferguson winning the MIAA title in the men's triple jump and qualifying for the Division 2 final, and how significant his presence will be in Pittsburg State pursuing its first men's indoor team title since 2018. Tinch also looks forward to the outdoor season and his return to the 110-meter hurdles after running 13.63 in 2019 at the Division 1 West Regionals for Kansas after capturing the Big 12 championship.