Get to know Normal Community multi-sport athlete Chris Taylor
NORMAL, Ill. — Normal Community senior Chris Taylor is a two-sport standout for the Ironmen. Last fall, you could find him on the football field, while this spring he will be running track. He is committed to Illinois State, where he will play football for the Redbirds next fall.
Parents: Chris and Angelica Taylor
Hometown: Normal
What is your favorite thing about being on the track?
Chris Taylor: Being able to run and jump against other talented state competitors.
What is your favorite thing about being on the football field?
Taylor: The fact I鈥檓 playing with my brothers; people I鈥檝e played with, and being able to compete at a 7A level.
What do you like to do outside of your sports?
Taylor: I play pickup basketball and listen to music.
Ask someone in your family to pick one word to describe you. Who did you pick and what word did they use?
Taylor: I picked by brother, Calen, and he chose the word 鈥渓eader.鈥�
As an athlete, what is a rule you live by and how (or from whom) did you learn this rule?
Taylor: Always humble myself and take pride in every accomplishment. I learned this from both of my parents when I was 6 or 7. It always stuck with me since.
What jersey number do you wear? Why?
Taylor: 3, because I have three siblings, and I was the third born out of my brothers.
What is the biggest lesson you鈥檝e learned from athletics?
Taylor: Never get ahead of the task right in front of you.
What is your favorite track to run on?
Taylor: New Balance Track in Boston, Mass.
What is your favorite football field to play on?
Taylor: Dick Tharp Field, the home field of Normal Community High School.
What has been your favorite memory in athletics?
Taylor: Being able to watch myself grow and get better every year. Being able to showcase myself on the field.
What has been your favorite high school memory away from athletics?
Taylor: My ceramics and sculpture class last year.
Describe what the recruiting process was like for you.
Taylor: Recruiting was eye-opening and fun. I was able to travel to different states with my family and learn more about those colleges.
Why did you ultimately decide on Illinois State?
Taylor: Illinois State is a nice university and close to home. The community supports the university as well.
What is your favorite meal and who makes it?
Taylor: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and corn. Both of my parents make this meal.
What has been your favorite class in high school?
Taylor: STEM trigonometry.
If you could be good at any other sport (besides football or track), which sport would it be?
Taylor: Baseball. Because I could play outfield and track the ball down for an out. Something I鈥檝e enjoyed, kind of like kickball.
How did you prepare in the offseason for your senior year?
Taylor: I lifted about four times a week, with speed and mobility training after. I鈥檇 spend time watching film from previous season. Then, I went to a few football camps as well as team workouts early morning three to four times a week.
What movie have you watched the most?
Taylor: Bruce Almighty.
What is your go-to restaurant in town?
Taylor: Pop Up Chicken Shop.
What food could you eat every day?
Taylor: Quesadillas.
What household chore do you find satisfying?
Taylor: Washing the dishes.
What is your pregame/pre-meet routine?
Taylor: I text my family, get a light snack in my system, pray and put music on.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor and who was it?
Taylor: 鈥淵ou will deal with adversity in your life.鈥� Coach Drengwitz.
What is your favorite memory of playing youth sports?
Taylor: Having my last two JFL football seasons go undefeated. In our last season, we only allowed one touchdown all season.
What is your favorite part of practice? Least favorite?
Taylor: Favorite part is having music in the background while we learn new things about the game. Least favorite when making mistakes that happen through practices.
Where will you be and what will you be doing in four years? Ten years?
Taylor: Next four years I鈥檒l be in college playing football. Next 10 years, I鈥檇 really want to be playing somewhere at the national level.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.