SPORTS

Luke Harber and Mollie Gamble were top finishers in the Crossroads League Championships. (Photos provided by Taylor Athletics)
Luke Harber and Mollie Gamble were top finishers in the Crossroads League Championships. (Photos provided by Taylor Athletics)

11/21/2023, 12:00am

Taylor XC teams excel at CL Championships

By Elise Hoylman

Women take first, men take second

The Taylor cross-country teams dominated once again at the Crossroads League Championships on Nov. 3. Still ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, the women’s team won their 11th straight Crossroads League championship, scoring a dominant 33 points. The men’s team finished in an outstanding second place in the league meet with 71 points. 

Finally healthy, the University of Georgia is the top dawg in the nation. (Photo provided by Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

11/21/2023, 12:00am

Terry’s Takes: CFB Playoff and Championship predictions

By Caleb Terry

After waiting 11 weeks, we have officially arrived at the most exciting time of the college football year. According to ESPN’s Playoff Predictor, there are 10 teams still alive, and that includes No. 11 Oregon State holding onto a 1% chance. What teams will make it, and what will transpire in the CFP? Let me lay it out.

Tyreek Hill (left) and Christian McCaffrey (right) are the NFL's most explosive players. (Photos provided by Sports Illustrated)

11/21/2023, 12:00am

PSA from CJH: Is there a shot for a non-quarterback MVP anymore?

By Caleb Joshua Heffron

Okay, hear me out. It’s 2023. Everyone knows that the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award is now a “best quarterback” trophy; meanwhile, Offensive Player of the Year seems to be a “best player that isn’t a quarterback (but sometimes is still a quarterback)” award. But that all could change this year, thanks to the Miami Dolphins’ number one wide receiver Tyreek Hill and the San Francisco 49ers’ starting running back Christian McCaffrey. 

The Texas Rangers won their first World Series in a gentlemen's sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. (Photo provided by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

11/21/2023, 12:00am

Words from Wis: Is low World Series viewership a problem?

By Stephen Wisnewski

For a sport like baseball, a sport driven by statistics and analytics, one alarming stat many commentators and fans alike have pointed to is the record-low viewership of the World Series. Is that really something the MLB should be alarmed about, or are analysts overreacting?

Griswold is the heart and soul of the Trojans locker room. (Photo provided by Taylor Athletics)

11/21/2023, 12:00am

In the helmet of number 43: "The most incredible teammate"

By Dalton Jones

Every Taylor home football game has one thing in common: “the party.” No matter the score or situation, the Trojan sideline is bouncing and chanting. Whether it be “Jump Around” by House of Pain or chanting “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes, there is never a quiet moment on the Taylor sideline. But one player stands out from the rest: No. 43.

The ultimate team continues to build community whether they win or lose. (Photo provided by Taylor Ultimate Instagram)

11/14/2023, 12:00am

TU Frisbee is the "ultimate" sport of the year

By Dalton Jones

Ultimate frisbee is not the first thing that comes to mind when many students think of sports on Taylor’s campus. However, it is a new and growing club sport at Taylor University. Sophomore co-captains Max Newlon and Garrett Farnham have revamped the co-ed ultimate frisbee team this past season.

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11/14/2023, 12:00am

United States military members participate in Base HIIT Program

By Caleb Joshua Heffron

Across the United States, sports leagues show their appreciation for the military in many ways: the NFL has the month of November dedicated as Salute to Service, NBA teams have Military Appreciation nights and MLB teams honor active personnel and veterans throughout the season. For the Washington Nationals organization, one of their special events for military members is the Base HIIT Program.

Tyrese Haliburton (0) and Myles Turner will play in a brutal Eastern Conference. (Photo provided by LastWordOnSports)

11/14/2023, 12:00am

The Pacers have a star power shortage in a league built on stars

By Will Riddell

The Lakers have LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. The Suns have Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. The Celtics have Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. And the Nuggets — who also happen to be the defending champs — have Nikola Jokić, who won back-to-back MVPs in 2021 and 2022. The Pacers have Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner? Yeah, that’s not going to cut it.

Oklahoma state fans storm the field after beating Oklahoma for the second time in three years. (Photo provided by Oklahoma State Athletics)

11/14/2023, 12:00am

Terry's Takes: CFB fanbases are upset again

By Caleb Terry

College football is home to some of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports. This kind of deep-rooted emotion comes out either in excitement or heartbreak. A few contenders have been knocked out, but not every team’s destiny is determined just yet, so not every fanbase is up in arms. Let’s take a look at who is.

Indoor track and field and competitive cheer are just two of the sports set to take flight in January. (Photos provided by Taylor Athletics)

11/14/2023, 12:00am

Taylor winter sports are at the starting line for 2023-24 season

By Conrad Otto

Apart from the cold temperatures, this upcoming 2023-24 winter season of Taylor sports looks to be a dominant time for Trojan athletics. Three different sports – basketball, competitive cheer and track and field – look to either start their season off on a high note or continue the dominance they’ve already established.

Burns has broken multiple school records during his freshman year. (Photo provided by Taylor Athletics)

11/7/2023, 12:00am

Freshman Nathan 'Burns' the competition

By Alex Boothby

Nathan Burns is an exciting addition to the Taylor University men’s cross-country team, as he has exploded into stride taking the number one position on the team and breaking course records. As a talented runner who has dominated throughout high school, what led him to Taylor? 

Both Ryan Hanak (left) and Addie Draper (right) will be running in the Crossroads League Championship. (Photos provided by Taylor Athletics)

11/7/2023, 12:00am

Trojans cross-country runs straight in the eye of the Blazing Tiger

By Elise Hoylman

Omaha, Nebraska, heard Taylor cross-country roar on Saturday, Oct. 21. Taylor’s cross-country teams competed in the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic against 23 teams. Taylor women’s cross country team finished third at the meet behind College of Idaho, and Saint Mary (Kan.) ranked No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. The men’s team finished in an outstanding fourth place ahead of several ranked NAIA teams including Oklahoma City, Southern Oregon and Kansas Wesleyan. The Trojans have since moved up in ranking to No. 12. 

Both Elizabeth Kemper (left) and Lance VanErmen (right) had standout finishes to end the fall season. (Photos provided by Taylor Athletics)

11/7/2023, 12:00am

Taylor men's and women's golf close out fall seasons in the top 15

By Conrad Otto

Both the men’s and women’s golf teams swung into action in the last tournaments of their fall seasons. The women’s team took a pair of first-place finishes across the two days of the Delaware CC Fall Invitational. Meanwhile, the men’s side traveled to the Whistling Straits Intercollegiate in Sheboygan, WI, finishing second on day one and fourth place on day two.