The following is the latest installment in an occasional series about the progress of local student-athletes who have gone on to succeed at the next level in their college careers.
BERLIN- Former Stephen Decatur standout student-athlete Taylor Blazer, now a senior at Richmond University, added another feather to her well-adorned cap this week after being named the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Blazer, a three-sport standout at Decatur, has accomplished much at Richmond since leaving the Seahawks, starting nearly every game since her freshman year in the defensive end for the Spiders. Last week, Blazer was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for her performance during two games against James Madison and Longwood, winning eight draws, grabbing six ground balls and causing two turnovers in critical situations.
Against Madison, Blazer picked up four ground balls and caused two turnovers. In her next game against Longwood, Blazer won seven draws and grabbed two ground balls. For the season, Blazer leads Richmond with 11 caused turnovers, 25 draws and 21 ground balls. As a junior last year, Blazer started 16 games and led Richmond in draw controls and ground balls. She was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team last year. Blazer was a three-time All Bayside Conference player while at Decatur.