Taylor Earns Second Straight Male Athlete of Penn Relays Honors – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track & Field
April 26, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dan Taylor, a senior thrower on the Ohio State track and field team, defended his 2003 titles in both the hammer throw and shot put championships of America events last weekend at the 2004 Penn Relay Carnival in Philadelphia, Pa. The victories helped Taylor claim outstanding male athlete of the event honors for the second consecutive season. The reigning NCAA champion in the indoor weight throw and shot put became the first to win both the hammer and shot put events in back-to-back seasons in the 110-year history of the carnival.
Taylor, a product of Berkshire High School and native of Middlefield, Ohio, heaved a throw of 66 feet, 7 l inches (66-7.75) to repeat as shot put champion Friday. After placing third in the discus at 176-10 to complete action Friday, Taylor succeeded in defending his hammer crown with a hoist of 221-2 in his final attempt of the competition Saturday afternoon. Taylor received his awards at the championships podium from Philadelphia native and entertainer/comedian Bill Cosby.
In 2003, Taylor claimed the hammer and shot titles with marks of 209-8 and 65-0.50, respectively, to gain his first athlete of the meet honor. Taylor is the first to repeat as male athlete of the meet since the 2000 and 2001 carnivals, when TCU sprinter Kim Collins collected the award. Collins is the reigning world champion in the 100-meter dash.
This week Taylor and the Buckeyes will serve as host to the 19th annual Jesse Owens Track and Field Classic in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Friday and Saturday.
