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The Echo
Taylor University, Upland, IN
Sunday, March 30, 2025
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The Echo

Sports

The Echo

Terry’s Takes: How will the College Football Playoff be shaken up?

By Caleb Terry · Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023

On Halloween night, the first round of the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings were revealed. The Ohio State Buckeyes sit at No. 1, the back-to-back reigning champion Georgia Bulldogs are No. 2, the Michigan Wolverines are No. 3 and the Florida State Seminoles have taken the No. 4 spot. 

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TU Crossroads League Tournament debrief

By Caleb Joshua Heffron · Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023

With November arriving, snow flying through the air and “Charlie Brown” television specials airing on ABC, that means only one thing: The World Series … and the first College Football Playoff Rankings … and also James Harden making his yearly trade request. So maybe the end of October brings more than a few bells and whistles with it, but the main event for the 10 colleges of the Crossroads League (CL) will be the volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer tournaments and the men’s and women’s cross-country championships.

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Terry's Takes: Breaking down the top teams in college football

By Caleb Terry · Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

The 2023 college football season is the last year where the College Football Playoff will only feature four teams. In 2024, along with conference realignment, the playoff will expand, allowing 12 teams to have a shot at the national title. But this year – the final season with a four-team playoff structure – there has not been a tighter race for the college football playoff.

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Q&A with commentator Robbie Hummel

By Will Riddell · Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

With Nov. 6 and the start of the college basketball season rapidly approaching, I needed answers. Because Matthew Mayer is no longer playing at the college level, who is the next player to get caffeine poisoning from five Monster energy drinks and a night of gaming? Okay, maybe we didn’t talk about that (missed opportunity). But no sport is more unpredictable than college hoops. With the season on the horizon, I hopped on the phone with FOX/NBC commentator Robbie Hummel to talk about the Big 10 and beyond.

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Taylor eSports creates new ways to build community

By Caleb Joshua Heffron · Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

Video games. Frequently called the most popular form of entertainment, gamers across the globe have found ways to virtually clash swords, hit home runs and save universes. The 2020s have been a revolutionary time in game development and video games have become more popular than ever. Rather than just single-player experiences, online games have taken front and center stage as one of the most popular pastimes in the world. At Taylor University, the eSports and Gaming Club has taken full advantage. With over 200 members, the team features both competitive and non-competitive games and is constantly looking for new members.

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Taylor University equestrian team gallops onto campus

By Conrad Otto · Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023

When it comes to sports teams on Taylor University’s campus, rarely does riding horses cross anyone’s mind. However, just off campus at Rope This Ranch, the Taylor equestrian team looks to ride its way to victory throughout the school year.

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PSA from CJH: WNBA's greatest season shows it deserves respect

By Caleb Joshua Heffron · Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

Few sports leagues have been maligned like the Women’s National Basketball Association. It takes years, often decades, for leagues to find their proper footing. They need dedicated ownership, team superstars, style and culture; but the WNBA hasn’t been given the same opportunity by fans to make that leap, unlike its brother league.

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Men's cross-country gathers steam approaching late season meets

By Alex Boothby · Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

In a field stacked full of NCAA Division I teams, as well as multiple ranked NAIA squads, the Taylor men’s cross-country team took 19th at the Louisville Cross Country Classic on September 30. Freshman Nathan Burns led the team taking 19th place on the individual front, while senior Zane Callison finished first out of the team's top five.  

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To the finish: Maddawgs make a statement

By Elise Hoylman · Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

The No. 1 Taylor women’s cross-country team toed the line on Saturday, Sept. 30, after traveling to Kentucky to compete at the Louisville Cross Country Classic. Among 41 teams from across the NAIA, NCAA Division I and II, Taylor placed third.

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TU men's and women's basketball prepare for season

By Conrad Otto and Dalton Jones · Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023

Taylor University men’s basketball is gearing up for the 2023-24 season starting on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. against the University of Northwestern Ohio while the Taylor women’s basketball season is set to tip off the season at home this October with a brand-new coach, new faces, and a strong returning senior class. All told, the Trojans look for a high level of success for the season to come.

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Women’s soccer ties with UNOH, second draw of year

By Mallory Dotson · Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

“To Him be the glory.” This phrase is what leads the Taylor women’s soccer team into each game. The Trojans break every huddle in a way that shows their faith by shouting this one phrase together. This includes their game on Aug. 30th that finished as a 1-1 draw against the University of Northwest Ohio Racers (UNOH). 

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Don't cry because it's over - savor the Pac-12 before it’s gone

By Will Riddell · Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

“It’s a blackout, a packed house, and there’s no escape from the ferocious heat,” ESPN’s Dave Pasch said as Herm Edwards and the Arizona State University (ASU) Sun Devils prepared to storm onto the turf in Tempe. This was September 2018, and ASU was welcoming a ranked Michigan State team to Sun Devil Stadium on a 100 degree night.

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Trojans overseas: A trip to always remember

By Conrad Otto · Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

“Our endgame is to disciple our players, to build team chemistry, team bonding and to get us in game-fit for the season,” Gary Ross, Taylor’s men’s soccer head coach, said. Ross has been taking the team on a trip to Northern Ireland almost every summer since 2005. He has always been surprised by the outcome of opportunities that his athletes can grow towards.

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Colts Corner: Looking at what The Shoe needs to address

By Will Riddell · Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023

A breeze in the air and a colorful collection of leaves on trees can only mean one thing: It’s NFL season. While many are focused on a Taylor Swift sighting in Kansas City and a crushing injury in the Big Apple, the Indianapolis Colts are — as of this writing — quietly off to a 2-1 start. After week three, they’re sitting in first place in the AFC South.

The Echo

Gas City Speedway brings high-speed thrills to small-town Indiana

By Stephen Wisnewski · Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023

Picture this: the scent of gasoline filling your nose, the deafening roar of massive combustion engines accelerating down the straightaways, the vibrations of thunderous applause and boisterous cheers resonating in your chest. Seem familiar? Then perhaps you’ve journeyed over to the Gas City I-69 Speedway before.