Sports

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. 

Football looks to utilize renovated fieldhouse

Taylor Athletics has recently announced that they are continuing to revamp their athletic facilities to achieve a fresher, more modern look with the infrastructure.  

Lacrosse progresses in stature, maturity

 In the 2018-19 school year, men’s lacrosse became an officially sanctioned sport at Taylor. From a team originally composed of new lacrosse players and underclassmen, Taylor lacrosse is pushing past the walls of inexperience and beginning to find success in the nine-team Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). 

Off the field: De'Ariss Hope and Darien Taylor produce music, film

De’Ariss Hope and Darien Taylor’s vision is not exclusive to the football field. Their abilities expand to the creative landscape. The two major in Film and Media Production creating award-winning films and carving out their path in the entertainment world.

Hubbard hangs up historic basketball career

Jason Hubbard, the pride of Miamisburg, Ohio, closed out his illustrious basketball career as a Taylor Trojan. The 6-foot-7 forward cemented his legacy by becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,479 points and establishing a single-season scoring record in 2023 with 709 points.

Golf teams start the spring season off strong

This spring, both men and women’s golf teams started their journey in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The top five from each squad headed down to compete at the Legends Resort — Parkland.

On the Field: Seniors De’Ariss Hope and DT Taylor leave their mark

"Phenomenal young men.” That is how Defensive Coordinator Jared Boddie describes seniors De’Ariss Hope and Darien (also known as DT) Taylor. Many students know them as prominent players on the Trojans football team, and every Saturday, they could watch Hope wreaking havoc on the defensive line and Taylor returning kicks and sprinting out of the backfield.

Winter sports finish with mixed success

The start of the Crossroads League Tournament had no lack of excitement seeing an overtime matchup with the Taylor men’s basketball team upsetting crosstown rival Indiana Wesleyan, 78-74. 

Indoor teams compete at conference

The Taylor women’s indoor track team finished second, and the men’s indoor track team finished fourth in the Crossroads League Championships.

Arizona J-term trip cherished by Taylor baseball, softball

Our View: Let's behave around referees

Rick Johnston: the voice of TU Athletics

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.

Brennan embodies pursuit of excellence, persistence

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.

Women’s cross country wins nationals

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.

Women’s soccer shrugs off conference, postseason hopes alive

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.

Football makes critical improvements in Mingo’s second year

In head coach Aaron Mingo’s second season, Taylor’s football team took a step forward on the process toward the team’s goal of being the best Christian college football program in the country.

Volleyball wins conference tournament

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.

Kacy Bragg approaches end of historic volleyball career

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. 

Fall sports wrap up seasons with great success, opportunities

Basketball season arriving means that fall sports are coming to a close. Altogether, it has been a successful season for all eight of Taylor’s competitive teams.