Breaking records is becoming an old habit for Taylor
Zips' senior sprinter LaTrese Taylor ranked No. 12 in the nation
By Delano Massey
The Buchtelite Feb 10 2000

It is hard to comprehend the amount of success the women's track team has experienced in the past few years. It seems as
if things just keep getting better and better for the women. Although it seems hard to believe, just four years ago the
women were in last place.

"When I first got here our team was dead last," recalls senior sprinter LaTrese Taylor. "We were fighting just to be
second to last."

Things have changed a lot since those days. The Zips have turned things around to become the powerhouse of the MAC.
It has been five years since Dennis Mitchell took over as the head coach, and Mitchell has helped the Zips bring in some
phenomenal talent. In the past four years his freshmen have gained enough knowledge and experience to turn them into
team leaders. The women are currently ranked No. 1 in the MAC, and they are predicted to win the MAC championship
this year.

One member of that large group of outstanding athletes is a soft-spoken and very modest star, LaTrese Taylor. The entire
team has grown together and, although Taylor might not totally admit it, she has become a team leader. It is hard to
believe that anyone with a track background close to Taylor's is not boastful or arrogant. It has been nearly eight years
since Taylor first sparked an interest in track.

"I've been running since 7th grade. I used to play outside and run with my friends," said Taylor. "I used to run and guys
were like, 'Dang, you're fast!'"

It would almost seem like it was destiny for Taylor to be running track somewhere, but track was not her first love.
"I wanted to be a cheerleader more than anything," Taylor said.

During her freshman year in high school, Taylor competed in the state meet on Canton McKinley's 400-meter relay team.
The team did not place, but it was a great experience for her. By her sophomore year McKinley's 400-meter and
800-meter relay teams competed at the state meet. Both teams gave their all, but neither placed. By Taylor's junior year,
her 400 relay team returned to state and finished sixth. Taylor also made her first solo appearance finishing 7th in the
100-meter dash. Throughout her years at McKinley, she continued to improve, and by her senior year, she was a team
captain. Her senior year was also the year she returned to the state meet. This time her 400 relay team finished fifth, and
she finished third in the 100. Taylor's third place finish was enough to break the Stark County record.

Even with all of the success she had in high school, being a star never occurred to her.

"I wasn't serious about track at all. I didn't become serious until college." Taylor said. "I was excited about my
scholarship, but I still wasn't serious."

Taylor received letters from schools all over the country, but it was Akron that remained persistent in recruiting her.
"I didn't want to go far. I like being able to go home whenever I want to," Taylor explained.

Taylor's mother kept her levelheaded, and that is the one person that she says inspired her. She never grew up idolizing
anyone other than her mother.

"I never had any superstars that I idolized. I never wanted to be like Flo-Jo, I wanted to be like my mom," she said.
Taylor's mother has been a strong influence throughout her entire life.

"She's always been there to talk to and keep my head on straight," she explained. "I feel like I'm headed in the right
direction."

When Taylor arrived at Akron, there were no major adjustments for her. The college level of competition usually makes
it hard for most athletes to adjust, but it did not take her long.

"I expected the competition to be harder, but I was looking forward to it," Taylor said. "I was nervous for my first
indoor meet, but after that I was fine."

After Taylor's first couple of meets, she started finishing in second place.

"I started finishing in second and I realized it's not going to be that hard," she recalled.

Taylor went from a school that was pretty much dominating their competition, to a team that was at the bottom. In her
four years at Akron, there have been some dramatic changes.
"The team did a complete 360 and it feels good," she said. "We went from scoring no points to scoring all the points."
The team has managed to become one of the elite. It has gained respect, and when the team enters meets now it is the
team to beat.

"We know that the only way we can win is if everyone does their part. Everyone wants to win and everyone is working
hard at it."

Taylor manages to always keep a level head. Her accomplishments seem to be almost endless. She holds three
individual indoor track school records in the 55-meter dash, the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. She also is a
part of the 1600-meter relay team that holds a school record. It does not seem like any of this affects her attitude.
"It's not a big deal to me. I have never even kept a scrapbook," she said. "All of my awards from high school are in a
bag. I'll probably display [them] when I get my own house."

Taylor is more focused on the team's accomplishments, and her teammates keep her motivated.

"Jasmine [Reynolds] and I keep each other motivated. Whenever I finish, she is right there with me," Taylor said. "On
any given day Jasmine can beat me. We are trying to get each other to the national level, but the only way we can do that
is if we push each other."

Taylor has improved her 60-meter dash time five times this year.

She has also remained undefeated in the indoor sprints.

"I'm happy at the way things are going now and hopefully I will stay undefeated," she said. "I just take it week by week."

On January 25, Taylor received Athlete of the Week honors after improving her school record 55-meter dash time for
the third time. Taylor is currently ranked 12th in the nation, but that is destined to improve.

"I'm surprised at my accomplishments," said Taylor. "Last year was kind of depressing for me. My outdoor season [last
year] was terrible."

Taylor pulled a hamstring last season, and she never gave it the proper time to heal.

"I just wanted to run. I didn't want to sit out," Taylor said. "I learned to fight through the pain."

This is similar to Taylor's heroic acts last week at Central Michigan. Taylor had the flu, but mustered up enough energy
to compete and win in the 60 and the 200.

Taylor is currently achieving all of her goals. This year looks to be a promising one. Taylor will, in all likelihood,
acquire her first individual MAC championship and qualify for the NCAA championships.

"Right now, at this point in time my biggest accomplishment would be qualifying for nationals," Taylor said. "I've been
waiting for that a long time, but after that it's being an All-American."

After this track season is over, Taylor will work on completing her degree in elementary education. "I like to be around
kids. They make your life more exciting," Taylor said. "You always learn from kids."

Taylor will probably show her future students the same type of guidance she shows on the track. However, Taylor does
not look at herself as a leader. She accepts that position, but acknowledges she is not the type of leader to get in your
face.

"Michelle Rizzo, Christi Smith and I are all captains. I was also a captain last year, so I guess people think of me as a
leader," Taylor said. "That puts me in a position where I have to be at a certain standard."

Like it or not, Taylor has played a key role to the success of this team. She seems to be a good motivator for any team.
Her personality and leadership flows over into her everyday life. Taylor has also been a motivator for her 18-year-old
brother, who competes in track as well.

"I think I may have motivated him a little bit, but I doubt he would admit it," Taylor said. "I always tease him and tell
him he wants to be like me."

She supports her brother, and that is the same type of support that she is used to. Her whole family gives her support
when they can.

"Just having that support mentally puts me in a position to do better," Taylor said. "When I go back home to church it's a
big thing. My whole church family is supportive and that's encouraging."

It will be interesting to see just what the future holds for Taylor.

"If my outdoor season goes well, I might want to keep competing," Taylor said. "I would love to be in the Olympics.
That would be an experience you would never forget."

According to the Olympic Committee's regulations, the top 12 collegiate athletes in each event earn trip to the Olympic
Trials.

Currently, Taylor is ranked No. 12 in the nation in the 55-meter dash.

Regardless of whether or not Taylor ever makes it to the Olympics, she will be a great leader no matter what she does.
Track has taught her many values that she will cherish throughout her entire life.

"I always want to keep that status of being somewhat of a leader," Taylor said. "Track has taught me discipline,
responsibility, time management ... it's like a job that I have had to do everyday."

No matter where Taylor goes, she will always have a lot of friends as well as support.