Jonathan Taylor of Salem is South Jersey Times Athlete of the Year in boys track, 2016

Jonathan Taylor's success on the track this season was so outstanding that it may change his future at the next level.

The junior sprinter on the Salem boys track and field team considers himself a football player first. However, he now has recruiters interested in him as a track athlete, creating the possibility that he could become a two-sport student-athlete at the collegiate level.

"After running that 10.5 (in the 100-meter dash at the sectional meet), a couple of colleges were telling me that I could be a track guy or I could have the both of best worlds and do football and track," said Taylor, referring to his performance at the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 1 sectional. "That is always a possibility that I could run track and play football in college.

"That is something I would have to discuss with coaches and go from there. I could definitely see myself doing that. My coach (Mark Anderson) told me the winning time at the Big Ten Championships was a 10.49. Knowing I have the ability to run a 10.5 and potentially drop that time even more, I feel as though in my mind I would like to have the opportunity to compete with the best."

Taylor swept the 100 at sectionals, groups and the Meet of Champions, capping his season with a 10.61 to capture the M of C title to earn the South Jersey Times Athlete of the Year award in boys track and field for 2016.

Taylor had an area-best 10.55 in winning the sectional title after earning the Salem County title in 10.64. He ran a 10.75 in winning the state Group 1 championship.

"I wanted to be one of the best," he said. "I didn't know I would be the best. I just ran track to stay in shape and keep my body well when transitioning between seasons. My original goal was 10.9.

"Once I clocked out at 10.73 at the South Jersey Open, I was like whoa. It wasn't the best weather, so I knew I could go faster with good weather. I clocked out later at 10.7 and then 10.6. I was like 'This is crazy.' My coach said 'We are going to work on this at practice. This could be the start of something big.'

"At sectionals I got a 10.5 and he was like 'I told you. Now the only thing left to do it to keep working.' I had been working ever since."

In addition to the 100, Taylor was strong in the 200. He ran the second-fastest time in the area to teammate Spenser Jarrett. Taylor (22.00) beat Jarrett (22.15) to win the sectional title, but Jarrett (21.73) returned the favor to win the state title over Taylor (22.25). Taylor will look to add the 400 to his repertoire next season.

"My coach put me in (the 200)," Taylor said. "He said, 'If you want to be a great 100 sprinter, you have to run the 200.' I ran a 22 flat. I am not familiar with the 200, so I asked Spenser Jarrett if that was a good time.

"He said, 'Are you kidding me? That's a great time.' I was pretty excited about that. I have the chance to do something great in the 100 and potentially do something great in the 200. I was very excited about that."
 
Taylor and Jarrett were part of the 4x100 team with Ramon Bentley and Jamere Furbush that ran the fastest time in the area (42.14). Taylor has verbally committed to Rutgers after also receiving offers from Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Washington State.
 
He plans to make his five official visits this summer, though none had been scheduled by the end of the long track season. He plans to select a science track as his major and is interested in becoming a chemical engineer or biochemist.

"Coming into high school, this is not something I expected," he said of his outstanding season. "I only thought about doing well in football."

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