Sports

The Maddawgs of Taylor rule cross-country

In sports, there are two achievements that are the most difficult. The first is winning a national championship. It takes a combination of consistency, fortitude and skill to prove your team the victor against all others over the course of a season. For Taylor, it took 39 years of women’s cross-country and 10 straight years of Crossroads League crowns, but on November 18, 2022, they finally succeeded.

PSA from CJH: A quick note from a concerned sports enthusiast

It’s everywhere. In every sport. On every channel. Every time a game goes to a commercial, it’s there. I can’t escape it. I’m not talking about the abundance of Toyota advertisements or the insistence of Kay Jewelers that it’s not just ring season in the NFL. I’m referencing the influx of sportsbooks that have permeated the sports world.

Trojan football victorious in instant classic

Taylor University won an instant classic in their season opener at home against the St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees 37-34 on Aug. 26. A last-second, 24-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Damon Hockett put the Trojans up by three with only nine seconds left, but it was enough time for St. Ambrose to attempt a field goal to send the game to overtime. The Trojan faithful erupted when the kick came up short, clinching the win for Taylor University.

Trojan soccer returns with high expectations

What do Australia and New Zealand, Miami and Upland, Indiana have in common? Simply put, all three locations are 2023’s hotbed locations for soccer. Spain outlasted England to take home their first Women’s World Cup on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia and Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi is continuing his near-perfect career with a Leagues Cup victory, scoring goals at will for Inter Miami CF. But for Taylor University, the highlight of the soccer world is the return of Trojan soccer kicking back into high gear this August.

Ryan McCown joins a stacked, young Taylor quarterback depth chart

Taylor University's football roster is set to receive a dose of NFL lineage as Ryan McCown, a promising freshman quarterback, joins the team. McCown hails from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Texas, where his father Randy McCown also excelled during his alma mater years. 

Johnson closes out golf career

For Javan Johnson, the dream to play collegiate golf was born in the sixth grade when he first took up the game. Fast-forward to 2023, Johnson is a redshirt senior and one of the most impactful players in Taylor men’s golf history. 

Spring teams perform well to finish year

 Conference tournament results for Trojans athletics this spring were a mixed bag, with some teams exceeding expectations and others left disappointed. 

Emma West leads Trojans softball with experience and efficiency

The Taylor softball team has been fighting for a chance at reaching the NAIA National Championship for a second consecutive season, but in a conference with three ranked teams, wins don’t come easy for the Trojans. However, Taylor’s roster is a mixture of experienced veterans complimented by rising freshmen who are all prepared to finish the season strong and close the year with a Nationals run. 

Baseball wins Crossroads League title

The Taylor baseball team took home the 2023 Crossroads League Regular Season Championship after defeating Goshen College in a four game series with three wins.

Pickleball on the rise at Taylor University

Jack Attack: Pitch Clock is a welcome addition to the MLB

New to Major League Baseball this season, the pitch clock has done its job in making MLB games quicker and more exciting.

Baseball sweeps Indiana Wesleyan University, controls conference

 The Taylor baseball team swept Indiana Wesleyan to extend it’s win streak to six games and improve to 7-3 in their last 10 matchups. 

Brown brings energy to softball team

 Jessica Brown carries the weight of wisdom into her first season as the head coach of Taylor softball as a past player and sports administrator. A 2014 Mississippi State University graduate, Brown excelled as a student-athlete and progressed in the coaching ranks until a door opened for her to lead the Trojans. 

Trojans track teams exceed at Indiana Little State Championships

Taylor Track and Field participated in The Indiana Little State Championships and absolutely showed out on both days of the meet. The men’s team placed second out of 10 on day one and placed fifth out 15 on day two.

Liam Hesting: three records, two sports

Every year, sports enthusiasts hear podcasters, announcers and analysts heap praise upon players, using phrases like, ‘he’s got that it factor,’ ‘there’s something special about him’ or the all-new common colloquialism, ‘he’s just built different.’ 

Lacrosse archives first conference win over Lourdes University

 The Taylor men’s Lacrosse team found a way to win away from home, beating Michigan-Dearborn University 11-5. Junior Caleb Williams headlined an amazing performance, putting in four goals, followed by senior Alex Blum with three.  Before leaving, the team took to their home field April 15, and added a third win to their overall record — beating conference opponent Lourdes University, by a score of 12-7.

Spring sports looking to finish strong as seasons come to an end

As spring season for all seven of Taylor’s spring sports begins to wind down, several teams are making a strong argument for postseason success.

Trojan baseball on a tear in conference

Taylor baseball has been red hot as of late, winning 13 of 15 games between March 15 and April 10. They have swept Bethel University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and only lost two games to Huntington University

Meet the Echo Sports Writers

Jack Attack: Women’s sports deserve more recognition, attention

While much attention has been turned toward the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in the past month, this year’s edition of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament deserves much of the same attention.