On Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, Council Rock South seniors Allison and Shannon Taub were recognized at a special signing celebration for committing to compete in track and field at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please click on the following Photo Gallery link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/020615_signings_dll
“For Allison and Shannon, separate is going to be a new challenge, but I also think it’s going to allow both of them to blossom,” coach Deric Lynch said. “I couldn’t ask more for either of those two girls. They’re program changers. I’ve been very, very blessed for them to show the younger kids what should be expected. That’s what we hope for.
“They’re track nerds, and I say that with all the affection in the world. Not too many people are students of what they do. These two know the people they’re competing against, they know what they need to do to be at the top, and they study things to make themselves better. I’m going to miss them a whole bunch.”
Allison Taub – Monmouth University (Track & Field)
Major: Psychology
Final list of colleges: Monmouth, West Chester
Reasons for choosing Monmouth: “Loved the campus and their programs for psychology but also love how close the track team was.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I knew I always wanted to play a sport in college, but deciding which one was the hardest. I chose track because I’ve done it my whole life, and I just love how big the team is.”
Coach Deric Lynch: “Shannon and Allison have been each other’s biggest supporters since they were young. The factor that showed me what type of athletes they were was two years ago when Allison broke her ankle in the district basketball playoffs. She was injured, and that was going to be her track season – no more jumping, no more anything else. Shannon was there, keeping her going - she was disappointed, but she said to Allison, ‘We’ll figure it out.’ As the season progressed, Allison decided that since she couldn’t jump anymore she might as well try throwing. Once she got clearance and with a boot on, she competed and actually ended up our second highest scorer with a boot on. It was just insane. She missed four or five meets, and she came in and was amazing. She made districts and was unbelievable, and I think that defined where she was.
“Allison ended up setting our school records in everything but the javelin – she rewrote the records for shot and discus. She was a district qualifier and state qualifier in both shot and javelin. It was awesome.
“For her to go to Monmouth, she’s really a rookie at throwing, and she’s there with a really, really good javelin coach (Abraham Flores). She’s in a phenomenal place, and she really loved it. I really have actually higher expectations for her in college because she’s so brand new to it. She changed her perspective when something really, really bad happened, and not a lot of athletes have the ability to do that. I think that’s what makes Allison stand out. Her career at South was a success, and when she’s at Monmouth, it’s going to be a success because whenever something is thrown at her, her biggest strength is that she’ll just adapt.”
About Allison:
Favorite food: Mac ‘N Cheese
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite music: Country
Shannon Taub – Duquesne University (Track & Field)
Major: Special Education
Final list of colleges: Duquesne, Robert Morris, University of Massachusetts
Reasons for choosing Duquesne: “I loved the atmosphere and the city aspect. I absolutely fell in love with the school when I went on my visit. I also thought I could fit in academically and athletically really well.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “The progression definitely began when I medaled at states my sophomore year. I thought of competing in college sophomore year after spring track was over. I knew if I had a good junior season that it was doable. The recruiting process started during summer of junior year and the beginning of senior year.”
Coach Deric Lynch says: “Shannon is one of those competitors – the bigger the meet, the bigger the competition. That’s something I can’t coach. When the pressure is on and when she’s asked to perform, she does. In high jump placing second indoors and placing third as a junior, then it was, ‘Hey, I belong here.’ That was her switch and the validation in her head, and her senior year she was ‘Okay, I can win this thing,’ and she really went out after it.
“Shannon had a phenomenal career, and she is just so versatile. I think she qualified for five events in districts. She was a two-time district champ in the high jump. She set our school record this year in long, triple and high jump, and she’s going to do multiple events in college at Duquesne. It may take her a year or two to get adjusted to college athletics and what they expect, but her work ethic is going to push her to where she’s going to be a competitor. She’s going to be successful, and All-American would not be a stretch for either of them just because of the way they push themselves.”
About Shannon:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: “Anything I can sing to”
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