Cowboy Culture: Tyler Zink

Oklahoma State Athletics is known for the high-caliber coaching staff and student-athletes who call Stillwater home.

Tyler Zink, a junior transfer from the University of Georgia is now one of them. He joins OSU with an impressive resume, which includes a Wild Card Main Draw trip to the 2021 U.S. Open and an ITA preseason ranking slated at No. 30. Even before his collegiate career, he had a career-high No. 43 ITF world ranking and competed in the U.S. Open grand slams.

Zink didn't miss a beat and started playing tennis at a young age. His father, George Zink, played at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville before competing professionally, which led him to where he is today.

"Both of my parents were professional tennis players. I started playing around three or four years old, so very young," Zink said.

"My dad has had a huge impact on me, he has been my coach my whole life. He's taught me pretty much everything I know."

The junior has been on the road the majority of the fall season competing in individual tournaments and the Cowboy discusses how it wouldn't be the same without head coach Dustin Taylor, "It's been good having DT by my side through these individual tournaments. Obviously, it's a grind playing those tournaments but he's been there. He's been able to give me lots of feedback and what to expect and how to improve, it's been amazing."

Once you know, you know. The newcomer knew where he was supposed to be after one trip to Stillwater and only meeting DT for the first and only time before his transfer.

"I never met him before. But as soon as I visited and met him, I was convinced that I wanted to come here," Zink said.

Cowboy culture has also shown through with the new roster allowing a successful start for the new OSU era.

"It definitely means a lot. We have a great group of guys that have huge hearts, just the whole team culture is amazing," Zink said.

"Everyone is brand new, no one else in the country has seven brand new guys. Just being able to lead them and watch everyone grow over this fall is super cool."

Zink welcomes the unknown with open arms, trusting in head coach Dustin Taylor every step of the way.

"With the coaching staff we have, the stars are the limit. If everything falls right, anything can happen. It's definitely possible for us to do very well, especially with DT and Dane."

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Tyler Zink

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