Kiser-Taylor is a Finalist for Play It Forward Honor from Oregon Sports Awards

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Rachel Kiser-Taylor (Sr., Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet HS) from the Willamette women's swimming team is one of 11 finalists for the 2017-18 Play It Forward Athlete of the Year Award. Kiser-Taylor and the other finalists were selected as monthly Play It Forward Award winners during the past year. The Play It Forward Athlete of the Year Award winner will be announced during the 66th Annual Oregon Sports Awards Show in the Stanford Theatre at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, on Wednesday, June 20. The Oregon Sports Awards Show will start at 7 p.m., with coverage on NBC Sports Northwest beginning at 6 p.m.

"I am extremely proud of Rachel and the other Willamette University swimmers and students who have helped us keep this important partnership with Special Olympics swimming for the past four years," Willamette Head Coach Leslie Shevlin said.

Kiser-Taylor, who graduated from Willamette this spring, received the Play It Forward nomination as a result of her commitment to Special Olympics swimming in Marion County. She was the head coach of the Special Olympic swimming team this season. She scheduled practices, determined the drills and swimming required at each practice, leading the efforts of the assistant coaches and swimmers, and organizing the team for the Regional meet in Corvallis, Oregon. For the first time in several years, the practices were not held at Willamette, so Kiser-Taylor and other Bearcats assisting with the program had to travel off-campus to help with practices.

The Play It Forward Award is presented to college, university, and high school student-athletes who provide significant community service in Oregon resulting in youngsters being active while encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Finalists for the 2017-18 Play It Forward Athlete of the Year Award

Rachel Kiser-Taylor, Willamette University
Braydon Ebbs, McNary High School
Giovanni Monroe, Warner Pacific University
Gregg Mehlhaf, Clackamas High School
Jevondre' Colege, Jefferson High School
Jordan Wormdahl, North Eugene High School
Katie Cole, Trinity Academy
Kendra Huthinson, Westview High School
Kendra Braaten, Oregon State University
Taylor Ricci, Oregon State University
Payton Richardson, Western Mennonite School