Versatile Beavercreek OH senior will have an opportunity to continue to race walk independently in college while in Fayetteville, along with competing in cross country and track following her verbal commitment to Razorbacks

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

The hashtag #WPS represents the abbreviation for the “Calling of the Hogs” at Arkansas, when the Razorbacks shout, “Woo Pig Sooie.”

In the case of Beavercreek OH standout Taylor Ewert, following her verbal commitment Thursday to attend college at Arkansas, there might be a secondary meaning in future years in Fayetteville – Walk Pace Steeple.

The most versatile distance athlete in the Class of 2020, along with the future of American race walking, Ewert has been assured she will have the opportunity to continue to showcase all of her talents for the Razorbacks under veteran coach Lance Harter.

Although Ewert won’t race walk for Arkansas, since the event isn’t contested at conference and NCAA Division 1 championship meets, she will be able to compete in the event independently during her collegiate career, because according to Harter, “Why would we close that door?”

She has set national high school and U.S. Under-20 race walk records at every distance from one mile to 20 kilometers, in addition to winning New Balance national championships in both the race walk and the 2,000-meter steeplechase, as well as earning cross country All-America honors at both Foot Locker Nationals and Nike Cross Nationals.

Ewert already brings international experience to Fayetteville, having competed in the 10,000-meter race walk at the IAAF World U-20 Championships, as well as twice at the Pan American U-20 Championships.

She also won the indoor mile race walk in February at the Millrose Games, defeating both American and Canadian professionals, in addition to already earning her qualifying time to compete in the 20-kilometer race walk at next year’s U.S. Olympic Trials.

Ewert has captured back-to-back 2,000 steeplechase titles at New Balance Nationals Outdoor in North Carolina, in addition to winning Ohio Division 1 state championships in cross country and the outdoor 3,200 meters, along with the indoor 1,600 and 3,200 meters.

She continues the impressive legacy of family members to run at the NCAA Division 1 level, with older brother Ben Ewert competing at Louisville and her parents, Brian and Teri, both racing in the steeplechase during their careers at Syracuse.

Ewert and her Beavercreek cross country squad are both the individual and team favorites to repeat in November at the Ohio Division 1 state championships.

The Beavers, who are scheduled to compete Saturday at the Nike Valley Twilight Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., are also among the leading contenders to represent the Midwest Region at Nike Cross Nationals in December in Portland, Ore.