When Kau‘i Taylor went on a college touring trip last summer in Texas, the Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior didn’t know what to expect.
When Kau‘i Taylor went on a college touring trip last summer in Texas, the Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior didn’t know what to expect.
She visited TCU, Texas A&M and the University of Texas. Then once Taylor stepped foot at Baylor, she was home or, at least, felt like she found a home away from home.
In front of family and friends, Taylor signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday at HPA’s Castle Gym.
“Whether I played soccer or not, Baylor was my top choice,” she said. “I have family in Texas, and the weather is not super extreme, like going to the East coast. I go to a Baptist church in Kohala, so it matches up well. The school is beautiful.”
The Bears went 9-6-4 last season and finished second in the Big 12, better than the football team. Art Briles’ bunch went 10-3 and was fourth in the Big 12, staring up at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU.
While on campus, she went to the soccer office and introduced herself to coach Paul Jobson, who was won over by Taylor’s personal skills and took an interest, even though Baylor used most of its scholarship money.
He saw her highlight video, invited her to a soccer camp in January, and then called her into his office, where he offered a small scholarship with a carrot.
“I was blessed enough to have a roster spot and whatever scholarship is a big bonus. They’ll pay for my books and the NCAA will pay for my summer school in June, when I’ll start training there.
“He explained that if I work hard next year I can earn more money and possibly a full ride in a couple of years, if not next year.”
Taylor has a 3.0 GPA and plans to major in kinesiology and hopefully become an athletic trainer.
If that doesn’t work out, she could always become some kind of motivational speaker. Taylor has that engaging personality, something Jobson noticed.
“The major thing he mentioned was that he was drawn to character,” she said. “When he chooses his roster, the players have to have ‘xyz’ character to fit on the team, and their soccer skills need to match it. He said he likes to take not the best players but the right players.”
Family effort
Taylor pointed to a whole assortment of people as influences for her, including her mom Tiffiny Taylor, dad Kolu Solomon, stepdad Keith Krugh, cousin Emma Taylor and grandparents.
“They believed in me before I believed in myself,” said Taylor, whose hobby is self-improvement. “For the most part, if I’m not playing soccer, I’m training. I’m in the weight room with my stepdad or running or doing something.”
She’s the defending HHSAA state champion in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 4 inches last May on Maui.
That jumping ability helps the 5-foot-9 Taylor on corner kicks. She can soar and knock a header in.
When she arrives on the Waco campus, where the school enrollment is about 17,000 (Texas has about 50,000), Taylor will bring more to her striker position than her hops and scoring ability.
“It’s important to remember where I came from because in a way I’m reflecting an image people have in their heads what Hawaii’s about,” said Taylor, who’ll be the only Hawaii product on the roster. “I’m representing more than myself. I’m also representing my family and state.”
Goals to shoot for
Taylor has already talked to a few future Baylor teammates about watching football games at McLane Stadium, which sits near the Brazos River.
Sailboats can park on the river and take in a game. The Betty Lou Mays Soccer Field has received recent upgrades and is another sparkling Baylor amenity.
Before Taylor transforms from a Ka Makani into a Bear, there are a few things on her to-do list.
HPA is the six-time defending BIIF Division II champion and has also won the last two state championships.
“We’re going to do what we can,” Taylor said. “We’ll work hard every day. I don’t see why we can’t go back and do what we did last year.”