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Casa Grande's Taylor chooses North Carolina Eric Branch PRESS DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER Published: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 Casa Grande senior Jacque Taylor, one of the top distance runners in Empire history, has verbally committed to the University of North Carolina. Taylor, one of three girls in Empire history to have three top-four finishes at the state track and field meet, visited North Carolina in early October and was wowed by the campus, runners and coaches. She also visited national cross-country powerhouse Washington the following week, but her heart remained in the Tar Heel State. I was at North Carolina and I didn't want to leave, Taylor said. I was actually sad when I had to get back on the plane. That's when I knew that I had really fallen in love. I still went to Washington, but I knew Washington would have to be something just so spectacular. Taylor, a two-time North Coast Section champion, has been plenty spectacular during her high school career. She will travel to the CIF State Cross Country Meet in Fresno on Saturday aiming to become the third girl in Empire history to have four top-five finishes at the event. Taylor finished third in 08, second in 07 and fifth in 06. Taylor would join Montgomery's Sara Bei, who won four state titles from 1997-2000, and Maria Carrillo's Jenny Aldridge (1998-2001) in that prestigious group. She hopes to make a similar impact at North Carolina, where she will compete in the steeplechase during the track season. The Tar Heels were ranked 28th in the nation at one point during the cross-country season, but finished the season unranked. UNC placed fifth at the Southeast Regional, but did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. Taylor was impressed by first-year Tar Heels coach Peter Watson, who coached runners to five Southeastern Conference titles during his four years at Auburn. UNC also has three underclassmen who received all-Southeast Region recognition this season. Taylor expects to officially sign in February. The campus is so pretty, the coaches and team were great and the academics are really strong, Taylor said. It had everything I was looking for. EL MOLINO SEEKING COACHES El Molino is looking for varsity swimming and track coaches, for both its boys' and girls' programs. Those interested can contact athletic director Mike Roan at 824-6563. For more Empire high school sports coverage, go to prepsports.blogs.pressdemocrat.com. You can reach Staff Writer Eric Branch at 521-5268 or eric.branch@pressdemocrat.com.
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