Taylor kicks it to college

Senior Taylor Snyder, who played midfield in soccer and is a point guard in basketball, has played soccer since she was eight and basketball since she was nine.

Taylor said her parents influenced her to play sports, and she continues to play because they help get her mind off school, are fun to do and allow her to spend time with friends.

According to Taylor, her favorite sports memory is making it to playoffs in soccer her junior year. “It was just the best time ever,” she added. At playoffs, she said the team played against Midd-West at Central Columbia. Taylor said they started the game playing great, but then lost at the end of the game. She added that it was overall a great time.

She said her least favorite sports memory is from basketball during her freshmen year, when Coach Phillip Davis yelled at her in the locker room at the Danville game because the team was losing by 20 points and they were playing really badly.

Taylor said sports have taught her a lot about hard work and discipline. “I don’t think I’d be the same person I am today,” she added.

“Her ability to understand the game and her leadership qualities have grown,” said Coach Davis. He added that Taylor’s competitiveness and hard work helps her stand out over other athletes.

Coach Davis said he does not have one favorite memory of coaching Taylor, but enjoys joking around and talking to her. “She’s a really special kid; she’s a tremendous athlete [and] tremendous player,” he added.

Taylor has received an honorable mention three times from her coaches for soccer, First Team Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference (PHAC) in soccer her senior year, and the Coaches Association All Defense award in basketball her sophomore year.

Her advice to future athletes is to work hard every day in both practices and games.

Taylor said she plans to further her soccer career at Lycoming University or Montclair State in New Jersey. She added she does not know what she wants to major in, but she is considering Elementary Education or Psychology.