by By Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Katie Taylor, 23, is a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Ojibwe. Her Indian name is Makwagaboikwe. She is a 2016 graduate of Hayward High School in WI and currently lives in Mankato, MN. She is a graduate at Minnesota State University, is working on her master’s degree, and competes on the track and field team.
Since COVID-19 started Katie was dealing with the aftermath of a season-stopping injury from the previous season. Katie shared: “I was doing rehab and trying to heal it as much as could while the season was going. I was waiting until the end of the season before I had surgery to hopefully help with the pain I was having. COVID-19 ended up cutting my season short and we couldn’t compete at NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.”
“During the break, I had surgery and began the recovery for that,” added Katie.
“This past season, I came back to compete again but I was still on the mend from my surgery,” said Katie. “The season was good for me and was consistent with what I have been doing in previous seasons.”
Katie ended the 2021 Indoor season as the National Champion in the Weight Throw and a First Team All-American in the shot put.
“My outdoor season didn’t end as well as my indoor season,” said Katie. “I became a First Team All-American in the Discus throw and unfortunately the shot put didn’t go as well for me.”
Katie is back again for her final season, almost completely recovered from previous injuries and training harder than she has for the past few years.
“After not doing as well that I normally would have done this past season, a fire was reignited inside of me that is driving me forward once again,” said Katie. “This season will be slightly different for me, besides the normal motivation to get to nationals and do well there, this season will determine if I continue throwing post-collegiately.”
“This season will be a turning point for me and I’m training as hard and with as much passion as I did my freshman year of college. Throughout my college career, I have had rough spots where trying to find my motivation for track and school was really hard,” added Katie.
Katie graduated last year from Minnesota State University Mankato with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary studies, with areas of focus being IT, Math, and American Indigenous Studies.
“If it wasn’t for my coach, Mike Turgeon, who has been my coach for the past six years and has known me for the last ten years, I would not have graduated from college and be pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Management,” said Katie. “Turgeon has been a driving force for me since I’ve been in college. He has always kept me on the straight and narrow.”
“Throughout the years, there would be things that, at the time, were really annoying for me to do but Turgeon made sure I did it. One of those being going to study tables, otherwise I didn’t do my homework or go to class on a regular basis. He would also have weekly meetings with me where we would discuss my schoolwork and grades.”
“I said it earlier but I wouldn’t be where I am today without Turgeon pushing me and making sure I graduated from college,” added Katie.
Katie enrolled this fall at MSU in graduate school in sports administration as she finishes her eligibility and path to becoming a collegiate track and field coach. During the indoor season Katie won a national championship in the 20lb weight throw. Katie broke the MSU school record at 69 feet 5½ inches. This throw ranks Katie as the ninth all-time thrower in NCAA D2 history.
Katie’s success in the indoor weight throw and shot put elevated her team to a second place National Finish at the 2021 NCAA Indoor National Division II Track and Field Championships.
Katie’s accomplishments include:
2020 Indoors – All American in Shot Put and Weight Throw
2020 Outdoors – Season Canceled due to COVID
2021 Indoors – National Champion 20lb Weight Throw, All American in Shot Put
2021 Outdoors – All American in Discus
“During the 2021 Outdoor season Katie was fifth at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships in the discus,” said Coach Mike Turgeon. We had very poor weather at the national championships. Cold, raining, and a 20 mph tailwind which is the worst wind you can have as a discus thrower.”
“Katie came into the competition ranked 16th and finished 5th,” said Coach Turgeon. “She beat 2021 Olympic Discus throw 12th place finisher Daisy Osakue from Italy in the competition. This performance really showed me how Katie’s grit overcame adversity.”
“Katie has overcome a lot of injuries from earlier in her athletic career,” said Coach Turgeon. “We are just starting to see the potential Katie has as she has overcome many obstacles in her athletic career. I am really excited about the dedication Katie has made this summer to becoming a better athlete and the promising senior season she will have.”
“Katie has taken a big interest in helping other Native Americans get into college and college athletics,” said Coach Turgeon. “Katie has visited schools to discuss her path and how to help students. I have seen this passion grow in the last year.”
Photo Credit: Mike Turgeon
