by JASON GORDON
Hays’ Taylor Hough uses an outstanding work ethic and his competitive edge to excel at the varsity track and field level despite the fact he’s only a sophomore. He will try and help the Hays boys team win a district title in Elgin April 14-15. (Photo by Jason Gordon)
The answer from every single one of Taylor Hough’s track coaches when asked to describe the Hays High sophomore was the same.
One after the other, Rebel coaches described Hough as one of the fiercest competitors on the team.
“The kid just loves to compete,” Hays head boys track coach Gary Gaddy said. “It doesn’t matter what it is, he’s going to go at it with a great attitude and he’s going to get after it with a smile.”
Hough competes in both the 800-meter dash and the triple jump for the varsity track and field team.
He won his first race at the varsity level two weeks ago at the Bandera meet, making an incredible comeback from 20 yards behind in the final 100 yards to capture the gold medal in an 800-meter dash of two minutes, six seconds.
“He just gutted that race out,” Hays coach Mitch Phillips said. “He never gave up. That’s the kind of athlete he is.”
Hough said the victory in Bandera gave him a lot of confidence.
“There were 10 other teams there, so it was a very competitive meet,” Hough said. “It was an amazing feeling to cross the finish line in first place. It makes you want to work hard to get back there again.”
Hough’s top finish in the triple jump was a second place finish at the Don Shelton Relays earlier this year at Hays. His personal best in the event is 40-feet, 3.75-inches, which he achieved at the Cougar Relays at Canyon High last week.
He says his competitive edge was born at an early age.
“My parents got me into sports when I was pretty young,” Hough said. “I think that’s where my competitiveness and work ethic was formed. It’s always been my goal to work hard and do my best, win or lose.”
It’s that kind of attitude that’s impressed his Hays coaches.
“Taylor comes out to the track every day and asks what he can do that day to get better,” Hays coach Cliff Buckley said. “It’s rare for an athlete these days to ask for extra assignments. I think if he keeps progressing at the rate he’s been going at he can be a district champion one day. He’s the type of athlete that will be able to accomplish anything he wants to.”
Hough has helped the Rebel boys win three team titles this season, at Bandera, Hays and Lehman.
Next up for Hough and the Rebels will be the district meet April 14-15 in Elgin.
“It’s exciting being on a winning team,” Hough said. “I hope we can continue that trend at district.”
As for his individual goals, Hough said he would not only like to one day progress past the district level, he wants to qualify for the state meet in Austin.
“Over the next year or two, I definitely want to go to state,” said Hough, who is also penciled in to start in the defensive backfield on the Rebel football team next fall. “It’s hard to picture myself in front of 20,000 fans at the state meet, but it’s definitely something I hope I get to experience.”
