COLLEGE SIGNING … Forrest is flanked by her parents, James and Jenni Forrest, as she signs her letter of intent to attend Heidelberg University. (PHOTO PROVIDED)
By: Nate Calvin
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
SWANTON – Lady Bulldog softball player Taylor Forrest recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career at Heidelberg University.
Forrest considered Wittenberg, Bluffton, Albion, and Defiance with her final decision coming down to Heidelberg and Wittenberg.
“Even though I had options to choose from, Heidelberg made me feel the most excited for college”, said Forrest when explaining her choice.
“The campus feels like a second home. Every time I’m in Tiffin, I feel rejuvenated and free. Heidelberg offered academic chances that I just could not pass up.”
“Coach Briggs, Coach Chapman, and Coach Shelby all had a huge impact on my opinion. They would always answer all my questions with the answers I needed to hear.”
“Though Heidelberg is Division lll, it did not matter. Heidelberg is my safe place, and I can’t wait for it to be my future home.”
For Forrest, the recruiting process began as a freshman. “Starting my freshman year, the recruiting process felt like it took forever. Emailing was extremely annoying, but just waiting to possibly get one back was nail biting”, she detailed.
“I sat down each week and wrote emails to many college coaches. As years went on, I cut down my list based on school size, division, distance, if I liked the coaches or camps, how the team chemistry was, and even the color, because in the end it was my choice.”
“By the end of my senior year, I had a total of five colleges I was looking at with all being Division lll and fairly close but far enough away from home.”
“In the end, I realized I cannot compare my travel team I’m on now to a college team that changes every year.”
“I needed to choose a school that fit my needs, but first my academics. So, I chose Heidelberg to be my next home because it was the best fit for me”, she concluded.
Forrest has a long list of accomplishments, both academic and athletic during her high school career including: Member of honor roll throughout high school; Will be graduating with honors in the spring; National Honors Society member; Interact member; SEED; SACC; Four-year varsity softball captain; Chosen to be 6th grade camp counselor both years that she was eligible; she will have roughly 21 college credits at graduation time; TACKLE; Freshmen Mentor; Volunteer- Food Pantry, Blood Drive, Santa’s Workshop; Interns for both the principal and assistant principal; First Team All-NWOAL; Honorable Mention All-NWOAL as a freshman; Student of the Month for December 2023; Prom Committee; Leadership Class; Top 10 in BPA contest.
Forrest will be studying Exercise Science but is unsure at this time which direction she will go with it after college.