SPORTS

Rick Johnston serves as the broadcaster for TU Athletics.

Rick Johnston serves as the broadcaster for TU Athletics.



12/7/2022, 12:00am

Rick Johnston: the voice of TU Athletics

By Will Riddell

Johnston leaves his mark in 10th year

Fans of Taylor Trojan sports know the voice, and why wouldn’t they? For one, it doesn’t change regardless of the sport. Football, basketball and baseball? Yep. Volleyball, lacrosse and softball? Sure. Don’t forget every Taylor soccer game, or the one time that voice described a cross-country meet in the middle of a bean field. That voice TU sports fans are so accustomed to hearing belongs to Trojan play-by-play man, Rick Johnston. He’s been calling the action in Upland for nearly a decade, and he’s still as all in as he was on day one behind the mic.

Abbey Brennan finished her career as an All-American.

12/7/2022, 12:00am

Brennan embodies pursuit of excellence, persistence

By Payne Moses

Fort Wayne, Indiana native and fifth-year senior Abbey Brennan put an exclamation mark on her career as a part of Taylor women’s cross country and track and field. The 10-time All-American quietly went about her business and now leaves a legacy full of achievement matched with unwavering humility.

Taylor's women's cross country team won the 2022 NAIA National Championship.

12/6/2022, 10:38am

Women’s cross country wins nationals

By Jack Mulkey

On Nov. 18 in Tallahassee, Florida, the Taylor women’s cross country team capped off an undefeated season with the first national championship in program history — topping the 36-team field.

11/29/2022, 12:00am

Women’s soccer shrugs off conference, postseason hopes alive

By Payne Moses

Taylor women’s soccer ended their conference run on Nov. 9, falling to No. 2 Marian in the Crossroads League Tournament Semifinals. Although the Trojans did not finish on their own terms, they received a bid into the 2022 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship during a selection show held on Nov. 14.

The volleyball team won the Crossroads League tournament.

11/29/2022, 12:00am

Volleyball wins conference tournament

By Dalton Jones

Taylor’s volleyball team was the Crossroads League regular season champ, and by beating Marian University in the championship match, they are now Crossroads League Tournament champions. This is the first time since 2010 that the Trojans are Crossroads League Tournament Champions.

Senior Kacy Bragg has over 4,000 assists in her TU volleyball career.

11/16/2022, 12:00am

Kacy Bragg approaches end of historic volleyball career

By Conrad Otto

She’s amassed over 4,000 career assists. She’s gotten over 1,000 digs and is nearing 500 kills. In just this year alone, senior setter Kacy Bragg has led the Taylor women’s volleyball team to one of its greatest seasons in over a decade. 

Women’s cross country won their 10th straight Crossroads League title.

11/14/2022, 12:00am

Women’s cross country wins league title

By Caleb Joshua Heffron

Taylor cross country finished the regular season strong at the Crossroads League (CL) Tournament this past weekend. Both the men’s and women’s teams will head to the NAIA National Championships in Tallahassee, Florida on Nov. 18th.

The ultimate frisbee team poses after playing a game.

11/14/2022, 12:00am

Ultimate frisbee club fosters unique community

By Payne Moses

 Taylor University Ultimate Frisbee Club was established in the fall of 2019 by Isaac Titche (’22) and senior John Soderdahl, who plans to graduate this December. Its platform has afforded many students from varying skill levels the opportunity to create unexpected friendships in a competitive environment. 

11/7/2022, 12:00am

Football recruitment: examining ins and outs of the process

By Dalton Jones

Football season is coming to a close and Taylor greatly improved from last year.  Last season, the Trojans only won two games. Heading into the final 2 games this season, they have a record of 5-4. Recruiting has played a large role in Taylor’s success. But how does Taylor get recruits to commit?

Senior Javan Johnson has been a key cog for Taylor's men's team.

11/7/2022, 12:00am

Golf finishes fall season

By Conrad Otto

This fall season, the men’s and women’s programs for Taylor University golf have been nothing short of successful. As the men’s team finished top, the women’s team finished top ten.  

Inductee Josh DeGraaf was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015

10/25/2022, 12:00am

Taylor inducts six in this year's Hall of Fame class

By Conrad Otto

There is an exciting buzz going around Taylor University athletics which involves certain athletes being inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame takes in the sports that Taylor has had, both past and present, there at the school in the athlete’s time.

Taylor Westgate was Second Team All-Conference last season.

10/24/2022, 12:00am

Women's basketball set to return to Odle

By Dalton Jones

Basketball season is fast approaching here at Taylor University.  The women’s team finished last season with a record of 15-13 (8-6 in Crossroads League). Last season was a bit of a heart-breaker for coach Jody Martinez. 

10/11/2022, 12:00am

Jack Attack: Group of 5 deserves respect

By Jack Mulkey

Many people complain that the current college football world is not competitive enough. Six of the last 10 national champions have been from the SEC, a Power 5 conference. Of the other four champions, the ACC, another Power 5 conference, has accounted for three of those champions with Ohio State being the other winner from the Big Ten, also a Power 5 conference.

Taylor volleyball shares first place in the Crossroads League.

10/10/2022, 12:00am

Taylor volleyball wins thriller over Marian University

By Caleb Joshua Heffron

The No. 13 Trojans took down the No. 17 Marian Knights 3-1 (24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23) on September 30 in a hard-fought game where each point was a back-and-forth battle. This game extended Taylor’s current win streak to four and continued their undefeated run at home as the Trojans are now 10–0 when playing in Odle Arena (11-0 after defeating Spring Arbor on October 5).

Women's cross country continues to impress with recent win.

10/10/2022, 12:00am

Women’s XC cruises to program record

By Payne Moses

The women’s cross country team, fresh off two consecutive event wins, added to their dominant season by capturing the title Oct. 1 at the Louisville Cross Country Classic. Program history was rewritten, with the previous team time record being surpassed by 23 seconds and freshman Noel VanderWall setting an individual record time of 17:34.6.

Taylor's volleyball team recorded an exciting conference win last weekend in Odle Arena

10/3/2022, 12:00am

Volleyball wins an instant classic against cross-county rival

By Jack Mulkey

In a five-set match for the ages, No. 13 Taylor beat No. 11 Indiana Wesleyan 3-2 on Sept. 24 in a rowdy Odle Arena. Coming into the match, Taylor played two games that week, a five-set loss to Saint Francis and a sweep over Huntington. “The Saint Francis game showed us that we were starting to get complacent, and we walked into that gym assuming we were going to win without a fight,” junior Anna Frey said.

The men's soccer team is looking to make strides in second half of the season.

10/3/2022, 12:00am

Men's soccer starts up conference play

By Conrad Otto

The Taylor Men’s Soccer team ended the contest against Mount Vernon Nazarene 2-2. This marks the team’s fourth draw this season, with the team at a record of 2-4-4. The Trojans came out aggressive and fired a quick goal in the fifth minute of the game, with senior Sawyer Watterson finding the back of the net. The Cougars then responded with scoring a penalty kick, evening the score.