By Austin Lindner | Echo
Quick turns, tricky transitions and gritty wipeouts all make up what students have come to know and love about Taylathon, Taylor's annual cross-campus bike race. As eight teams, two from each class, gear up for the competition tomorrow, we had the opportunity to ask a few of the team members about the highs and lows of this university tradition.
FRESHMEN:
Macky Hecox
Can you describe your team as an animal?
An armadillo. Armadillos have a special way of rolling themselves up into a ball to defend themselves from harm. This is something our freshman team has had to learn how to do, considering our newbie status and the many falls that come with that.
How do you feel about 5:30 a.m. practices?
At 5:30, I am honestly most concerned about all (the) poor worms I am killing as I step through darkness. Other than that, 5:30 practices are the best! I only have like seven tests this week so I don't need that much sleep anyways.
Are you nervous about falling during the race?
I am embracing the cold hard truth that my body and the ground will become one during this race. I tell myself that confidently falling is much more respectable than timidly falling-so give it all you got if you're going down.
Taylor Christophel
How has your Taylathon experience been so far?
It's has been a lot of fun. The upperclassmen are great and have given some of us underclassmen some tips on how to perfect those tricky transitions.
Who do you think will win Taylathon?
The senior team is going to be very tough to beat.
What is the best and worst part about participating in the race?
The best part is making some new friends and being a part of a great Taylor tradition. The worst part is definitely the 5:30 practices.
SOPHOMORES:
Tia Etter
Is this your first year doing Taylathon?
This is my second year of Taylathon and I feel like I have a good grip on the handlebars . . . if you know what I'm saying.
If you could describe your team as an animal, what would it be?
Our team is like a herd of meerkats. We're silent and harmless. But when we all come together, not only are we super cute, but we're a force to be reckoned with.
Best and worst part about Taylathon?
The best part of participating in Taylathon is bonding with my team and getting an adrenaline rush from jumping off a moving bicycle. The worst part of Taylathon is watching people fall. Even if you don't fall, it's easy to get a bad case of the sympathy hurts.
Logan Evans
What name would you give to your team?
My team name would be the Soph-winners.
If your team was an animal, what would it be?
I would probably describe my team best as a camel. We might not be as fast as some other teams, but we are dependable. Thus, as a camel, we will have an advantage if there is a drought on Saturday.
Have you fallen in practice yet, and do you plan to fall dramatically in front of the student body to garner sympathy votes for prom queen?
I think I fell once in practice. I'm taking a year off from running for prom queen this year. I might be the queen Taylor deserves, but I'm not the one it needs.
JUNIORS
Tobi Ballantine
Have you wiped out yet in practice?
I have never had a bad wipeout in practice, but last year when I fell I tried to be as dramatic as I could so that I got a lot of attention. And it worked.
When was the last time you cried in practice?
Why must you bring that up so soon?
Are the teams mostly returning or are there a lot of new people?
The junior girls team is mostly returning, but the junior guys (team) is mostly new. All the (freshmen) are returning riders too, which was impressive.
Who do you think is going to win Taylathon?
Nathan Tomcik
If you could give your team a name what would it be?
Better Late Than Never.
Are you nervous about falling in front of the student body?
That's what Taylathon is all about, failing and people making fun of you. That or being excited to see you wreck. It's really a lot like the Hunger Games. You compete in a dangerous competition as others cheer you on and hope you get hurt.
What is your team's spirit animal?
We are probably a narwhal. We exist, and some people know it, but some people think we aren't real. Those people are wrong.
And we will impale the competition with our horn-tusk.
Have you wiped out yet in practice, and do you plan to wipe out dramatically in front of the student body to garner sympathy votes for prom queen?
I'll do whatever it takes to help my standing with the public.
SENIORS
Miranda Brookshire
How many years have you done Taylathon?
This is year number four for this girl! I was tricked into racing (freshman) year and I have been hooked ever since.
Is your team mostly returners or newbies?
We only have two returners for the girls this year so the majority of the team is new. We had a hard time recruiting and barely pulled a team together in time, but from the few times we have all practiced together I think we are going to do great!
Have you wiped out in practice yet?
Not really. Freshmen year the first time I transitioned off the bike on race day I wiped out, so I imagine the only way to end my career as a Taylathoner is to fall. I am fully expecting it to happen at least once during the race.
Luke Hall
How has your Taylathon experience been so far this year?
It's been fun, tiring and greasy. Lots of bike grease.
What's a fun fact about your team?
We just had our first full team practice Thursday.
When was the last time you cried in practice?
This morning when the bike broke again. We need to get some new bikes or bigger budgets.
Who's going to win Taylathon?
I think it's a toss up between the senior guys and the sophomores.
