Taylor Honored as Big Ten Male Track and Field Athlete of the Week – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
April 27, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dan Taylor, who won his second straight Outstanding Male Athlete of the Penn Relays honor Sunday after defending his 2003 championships in the shot put and discus, was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week Tuesday for the seventh time in 2004. Taylor, who claimed his second weekly award so far in the outdoor season, became the first to win both the hammer and shot put events in consecutive seasons in the 110-year history of the Penn Relays.
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 Saturday afternoon. In 2003, Taylor claimed the hammer and shot titles with marks of 209-8 and 65-0.50, respectively. Taylor is the first to repeat as male athlete of the meet since the 2000 and 2001 carnivals, when TCU sprinter Kim Collins collected honors.
Taylor claimed conference athlete of the week five times during the indoor season, with awards coming Jan. 13, 20 and 27 and Feb. 18 and 24. Outdoors, Taylor previously won the honor March 29. The seven weekly accolades match his total from the 2003 indoor and outdoor seasons. Overall, Taylor has won the honor 16 times in his career.
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.
