Summerside's Hannah Taylor recognized by Sport P.E.I., Brock University

SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Hannah Taylor didn’t know why her cellphone was blowing up recently.

Upon investigation, the Summerside wrestler found out she had been named Brock University’s female athlete of the year in a virtual gala, held online due to the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain).

“I wasn’t actually watching the sports banquet because I was doing an essay,” Taylor said. “However, I got many text messages from my friends, teammates and from individuals at Brock University supporting me and congratulating me.

“It was a pretty exciting night.”

Wrestler Hannah Taylor was recently named the female athlete of the year at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont.

Taylor, a fourth-year sport management student, won her third straight U Sports national women’s title this season. Her achievement also helped Brock win its seventh straight national team title and ninth consecutive women’s banner.

“Each time it gets more exciting because we have that target on our back,” Taylor said. “We just have to make sure we that we can perform under pressure.”

The university recognition comes after Taylor earned the Cox & Palmer senior female athlete of the year award at the Sport P.E.I. annual awards banquet for her 2019 success.

Taylor was preparing for the U Sports championship that week and was unable to attend the ceremony. In a video played at the banquet, she congratulated Amy Burk (goalball) and Alysha Corrigan (rugby), who were also nominated for the award.

“You guys had great seasons. It was a privilege to watch you guys and see your success,” Taylor said.

Taylor’s 2019 season included winning gold at her first senior women’s nationals and bronze at the under-23 world championships in Hungary, as well as placing 22nd in the 32-women field at her first senior world championships. She also won bronze at the Spanish Grand Prix and silver at the senior Pan American championships in Argentina.

Taylor, who was also a finalist for the Synergy Fitness and Nutrition intercollegiate female athlete of the year, said it was a great season.

“Now to accept this award, it brings a smile to my face and it warms my heart to know that I always have the support of my province wherever I go,” she said in the video.

Taylor stays in the moment during her season, always looking at the next challenge in front of her.

“I don’t really think about all of these accomplishments and how they’re adding up … I just kind of look at one (event) and then onto the next one,” she said. “Now that I have time to reflect upon my season, I feel extremely honoured to be recognized by Sport P.E.I. and now Brock University.

“It’s kind of overwhelming knowing that I have support from not only the entire community of Prince Edward Island but also St. Catharines as well. I kind of have two families in two different communities. I am pretty luck that way.”

Taylor’s sister, Kait Taylor, received the Sport P.E.I. award on behalf of Hannah. She told the crowd that her sister works hard every day to make those Islanders, who have supported her throughout her career, proud.

“I promise to keep it short and sweet – just like Hannah – she’s five-one. And I promise you that she’s only sweet when she’s off the wrestling mats,” Kait said.

“My sister is one of the proudest Islanders there is, and she even has a tattoo on her shoulder that she proudly displays while she’s on and off the wrestling mats.”

Hannah Taylor, right, competes against Hannah Franson at the Canada Cup international wrestling event in Guelph, Ont.. Wrestling Canada/Michael P. Hall

Taylor, who was Prince Edward Island’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Que., and won a silver medal in wrestling, always thought of attending Brock to be part of the Badgers renowned program.

She kept her options open and explored some other universities before making her decision.

“After meeting the coaching staff … and touring the school, I knew that was the place to be,” she said.

The ability to work with some of the top coaches and wrestlers in the country daily was a key factor in the decision.

Taylor has been home for a couple of weeks and acknowledged staying in top shape is tough at the moment.

“Especially in my sport because it’s a full-contact sport,” she said. “Because of the social distancing rules in place, it’s difficult for me to do any wrestling-specific training.”

She is doing home workouts and trying to get out for runs, plus walking her dog, Nelson, a French bulldog named after a half nelson, which is a wrestling move.