Student-Athlete Spotlight: Taylor Jones – Football Recruit, Class of 2013

Taylor Jones, Football Recruit, Class of 2013

Today, we’re welcoming Taylor Jones, Offensive and Defensive Lineman from Princeton, Texas (Princeton HS). Among the rising senior’s most notable awards and honors includes having been named to the All-Academic District Team. Taylor was also invited to the National Underclassmen Ultimate 100 Camp in 2010 where he won the Strongest Man award, and he was invited again in 2012. In addition to football, he also competes in power lifting, golf and track & field.

Having been named to the All-Academic District Team, it’s clear that Taylor is a high achiever on and off the field. Ranking 24 in his class with a 3.8 GPA, he has his goals and priorities set. “Education is very important to me,” says Taylor. “I understand that you can’t play football forever, so I hit the books just as hard if not harder than the people I hit on the field. I want to graduate in the top ten percent of my class.”Taylor is a goal-setter, hard worker and team player. His goal for the Panthers: Win the state championship and for his teammates to continue their football careers in college as well. And of his many goals, Taylor’s biggest individual goal is to play at the next level.

Football is my first love and I would do anything to get to the next level, which is playing in college. – Taylor Jones on what playing football in college would mean to him

Currently, Taylor plans to major in Biomedical Engineering in college.

To watch game highlights or to learn more about Taylor Jones, check out his complete profile.

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Lizzy Harrison – Basketball Recruit, Class of 2012

This Saturday, we’re shining the spotlight on Lizzy Harrison a basketball recruit from St Albans, UK (Oaklands College Basketball Academy).

Lizzy not only plays for both the Academy and the Hertfordshire Warriors as a wing and small forward, she also competes in Track & Field and Swimming.

Over her years in basketball, Lizzy has earned some significant honors and awards, including the 2008/9 – Coaches Player of the Season Ipswich Bobcats U18’s National League and the 2010/11 – MVP Herts Warriors Senior Women’s Division 2 National League. She has also received several awards in Track & Field too: 2007/8 – U17’s Suffolk County Champion, High Jump, 2007/8 – U17’s English School’s National Competition, 10th High Jump, 2007/8 – U17’s National Indoor’s AAA, 7th High Jump, 2008/9 – Senior Women’s Suffolk County Champion, High Jump and 2008/9 – Senior Women’s National Indoor’s AAA, High Jump. And that’s not all, she’s competed in several tournaments as well. Those of note include: 2008/9 – UK Regional Tournament, 2010/11 – English School’s Final Fours, 3rd, 2010/11 – British College Final Fours, 1st (High School level), Top scored in these two tournaments – 20 PPG, 2011 – AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) Tour to Germany and 2011 – Bluestar Europe Tournament, Crystal Palace, London. With a season high of 35 points, she is the leading scorer at Academy with an average of about 19.7 points per game.

Lizzy is just as dedicated and determined off the court – Her main goal is to earn good grades and strive to be in the top percentile of her class. In addition to sports and basketball, Lizzy has a love for painting and drawing, and currently plans to major in Fine Arts & Design in college.

I have been passionate about sport from a young age…I am committed, determined and hard-working and I have always been prepared to give what it takes to become a performance athlete. – Lizzy Harrison on what she would like for college coaches to know about her

Whether it’s sports or school, Lizzy is always pushing herself to improve and reach her highest potential.

Learn more about Lizzy – Check out her complete profile to view her basketball, academic and personal info, full student-athlete interview, references and skills tape.

Nominate a student-athlete to be featured by sending an email to info@theathletewatch.com.

Big Welcome to Our 4 Newest Recruits!

We had an exciting week here at The Athlete Watch, and we’re happy to welcome our 4 newest student-athletes: Chandler Allen, Macy Schulte, Ian Dretzka and Andrew Fuller.

From Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus HS), welcome Chandler Allen, baseball recruit, class of 2012. He not only excels on the field as a pitcher, catcher and outfielder, but in the classroom as well as he currently holds a 3.6 GPA. During his years playing for both his high school and club teams, he’s made 2 notable tournament appearances: The USA 16U West Palm Beach in 2010 and WWBA South Qualifier Tournament in 2011. Chandler was also named to the 2011 Top 25 Prospect List (11) by the Perfect Game South Showcase and voted MVP at the December 2010 Ole Miss Senior Prep Division Hitting Camp. And looking ahead towards college, Chandler plans to major in Business & Sports Management, and hopes to continue his development as an athlete as well.

Be sure to check out Chandler’s profile and his skills tape: Chandler Allen

One of my individual goals is to improve in at least one aspect of my game everyday. No matter how small or big the improvement is, every little improvement counts towards going to the next level. – Chandler Allen on his individual goals

Our next big welcome is to our newest track & field recruit (who is probably smoking past everyone on the track as we speak), Macy Schulte, recruiting class of 2013 from Comanche, Texas (Comanche HS). Running for both her high school and the Comanche County Summer Track Club, she has earned several honors and awards, including: Regional Qualifier 400 m/800m/4X400 2010-2011, State Qualifier 4X400 2010-2011, Texas Relay Invitational Qualifier 4X400 and DMR 2010-2011, and Regional Qualifier 800m /400m/4X400 Relay 2009-2010. And those were just for track. Her cross country honors and awards include: District Champion, All Region 2011-2012, State Qualifier 2011 Cross Country MVP 2009-2010 and Cross Country MVP 2010-2011. Some of her most noticeable meets and races have been: 6-2A District Meet, UIL Region I, McNeil Inv. and the Abilene Turkey Trot 5K. Macy is just as dedicated off the track as she is on it – She currently holds a 3.7 GPA and is taking a few honors classes as well. We’re so excited to welcome such a phenomenal student-athlete!

I am determined to excel. I am willing to work hard and will “go the extra mile” to accomplish greater things. I dream of going to the Olympics! – Macy Schulte on what she would like college coaches to know about her

Playing at left tackle, welcome Ian Dretka, football recruit, class of 2015 from Wales, Wisconsin (Kettle Moraine HS). As a freshman, his immediate goal is to start on the varsity offensive line next year as a sophomore. And, ultimately, his goal is to be recognized for outstanding performance on the field at both the state and conference division level. Ian has set a high academic goal for himself as well – To earn an honors diploma. Having made the Honor Roll 1st Semester for the 2011-2012 school year, started his track record with a strong 3.2 GPA, and already enrolled himself in an honors course for this upcoming year, Ian has taken some great strides towards that goal. Self-described as determined, it’s clear that description fits. Because for this Kettle Moraine freshman, he doesn’t just set goals, he sets out to achieve them and takes every step necessary on to road to reaching them.

I am determined to go the extra mile, to finish the job and to do the job to the best of my ability. – Ian Dretka on what he would like college coaches to know about him

Also from Wales, Wisconsin (Kettle Moraine HS), welcome Andrew Fuller, football recruit, class of 2013. Playing both wide receiver and safety, Andrew is constantly pushing himself to improve, and not for individual gain, but for that of the team. This Kettle Moraine Laser’s team-oriented attitude and spirit really shine through in several of his goals, and especially his team goal – To perform at an even greater level together, maximize their shared athletic ability and, ultimately, win the state title together. Self-described as a hard-working, respectful go-getter, he aspires to become the best that he can be as both a student and as an athlete. Taking AP and Honors classes and maintaining a solid 3.16, Andrew is definitely on-track to reaching his dreams. And looking towards the future, he plans to major in Law.

It would mean more than anything for me to play football in college. It has been a lifelong goal of mine that I work every day for. – Andrew Fuller on what it would mean to play football in college

We’re so happy to welcome these four great recruits to The Athlete Watch! To learn more about each of these student-athletes, be sure to check out their complete profiles. Just click on a student-athlete’s hyperlinked name to head over to their profile!