SOUTH POINT, Ohio Ƶ Derrick Taylor said he likes math and money.
The South Point High School track and field star likely will use the former to count a lot of the latter, soon.
Taylor, who owns the second-longest shot-put throw in the nation this season, committed to the University of Tennessee, a college power in the sport. His 67-foot, 6-inch heave caught the attention of Volunteers coaches and others from throughout the country, including at UCLA, Oregon, Florida and South Carolina.
ƵI went there and thought the place was amazing,Ƶ Taylor said of Tennessee. ƵEveryone was so nice. I felt that bond with the athletes. I didnƵt want to look anywhere else.Ƶ
Taylor also has flung the discus 177-9.
ƵI like both,Ƶ Taylor said. ƵThe discus, when youƵre doing well, itƵs way more satisfying seeing that discus flying through the air.Ƶ
TaylorƵs throws satisfy and thrill his coaches, Pointers coach Chuck Wentz and throwing mentor Rusty Smith. Taylor said Smith has told him of the exploits of one of his former throwers, Olympic gold medalist Randy Barnes of St. Albans, West Virginia.
ƵRocky Top has gained a good one, to say the least,Ƶ Wentz said.
Taylor said he expects to win a state championship after finishing seventh last season. His improvement has been dramatic and he said thereƵs more to come.
ƵI tend to lean when I throw and I lose a lot of tension doing that,Ƶ Taylor said. ƵI could get a lot more feet. I just have to go do what I know I can do.Ƶ
Taylor has been throwing just more than three years. He played football before that, but the 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior decided track was where his future was, as well as being his love.
ƵItƵs just, to do it, you do what you have to do,Ƶ Taylor said. ƵIn team sports, you have to worry about him doing this and him doing that. You just have to focus on you when it comes to track and thatƵs an amazing feeling. ItƵs awesome.Ƶ
Still, Taylor didnƵt anticipate the attention heƵd receive.
ƵNo, I kind of was just doing it and had fun doing it and we ended up here,Ƶ Taylor said, chuckling.
Taylor described himself as reserved until people get to know him. Then, he said, they see a different side to him.
ƵWhen people first see me, IƵm like a mellow, keep-to-myself guy,Ƶ said Taylor, who plans to major in finance and earn a masters in business administration. ƵWhen you get to know me, IƵm outgoing and energetic.Ƶ
Recruiters saw both qualities in Taylor. He said the process of being courted by college programs was fun and stressful.
ƵIt was a little of both, going here and there and seeing this and that,Ƶ Taylor said. ƵTalking to so many different people, that was ... yeah. I definitely wasnƵt used to that.Ƶ
Taylor didnƵt start spinning to throw the shot until halfway through his sophomore year. Smith saw potential in the youngster and coached him up to become one of the premier throwers in the nation.
ƵHe pushes you hard, but he has fun,Ƶ Taylor said of Smith. ƵWe have fun. ItƵs a great combination, a winning combination.Ƶ
