By Seth Vanderwest
LocalSportsJournal.com

KENT CITY–Kent City’s Taryn Preston will don the blue and white of Cornerstone University next year. The senior officially signed her letter of intent back in December after verbally committing earlier in the year. Preston will be a member of the track team while studying nursing.

Preston will graduate at the top of her class.

Kent City track coach Jill Evers said, “her hard work and dedication have paid off and she will not only be able to compete at the next level, but certainly has the potential to excel.

“When I think of Taryn, I think of a great leader, fantastic student, and talented track and field athlete. She’s been a state champion for us and has already earned all-state status four times in two years. While we will miss her dearly, I wish her the best of luck as she switches school colors,” said Evers.

Preston is a three-sport athlete at Kent City (basketball, volleyball and track). She was a frontcourt presence on the Kent City volleyball team, averaging over 4 kills per game while also contributing defensively. Preston helped lead her team to two co-conference championships and earned all-conference and academic all-state honors.

She has also been an important part of the varsity girls’ basketball team for the past 3 years. Preston was a solid defender and rebounder. She could also knock down the occasional 3. The girls’ team is coming off the heels of a state finals appearance as they finished 26-1 this season.

Preston shined at all the sports she has played at Kent City, but especially in track and field. The senior is a sprinter and has already earned two all-state awards in both the 300m hurdles and the 4×400 relay.

Cornerstone track coach Jason Schalk is very excited about her collegiate potential.

“Taryn has been a priority for our women’s team since our first conversation last summer and it has been such a blessing getting to know her throughout this process,” Schalk said. “As a three-sport athlete, who happens to excel at all three at Kent City, we believe she is just scratching the surface as a track athlete and that’s incredibly exciting.”

Schalk is not only recruiting Preston because of her ability on the track, but also because of her character off it.

“Taryn epitomizes what we look for in a student athlete,” he said. “She carries herself with great character and poise. Taryn is faith driven and will be impactful on our campus and within our track family, just as CU will be impactful in her life.”

Preston still has unfinished business at Kent City, with one more track season this spring.

All photo’s including the feature photo are courtesy of Mary Wilson