Alumni Athlete: Taylor Clayton '18

Taylor Clayton’s path to collegiate sports has been defined by perseverance and commitment, both in academics and athletics. While squash wasn’t a part of Taylor’s RCS experience, the foundation of teamwork, camaraderie, and shared goals was firmly established through participation in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. Under the mentorship of Vincent Kwarula and former teacher/coach Tim Hart, these early experiences set the stage for Taylor’s subsequent leadership at Hotchkiss School as a two-year captain of the varsity squash team and a four-time recipient of the Upper School Squash Scholar-Athlete Award. Taylor is now at Yale University, where the pursuit of an economics degree is balanced with Ivy League squash.

RCS: How did athletics at RCS play a part in your squash career?

TC: Even though I never had the opportunity to play squash for RCS, competing on the soccer field, basketball court, and lacrosse field taught me many important lessons and provided some of my favorite memories. Before high school and college competitions, squash was an independent sport for me (that is, I never played on a team). When joining my high school and college teams, my team-sport experience at RCS prepared me to work with my team towards a common goal, push every teammate as they pushed me, and enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport. Also, I appreciate RCS for exposing me to many different kinds of sports, beginning in Lower School physical education with Mr. V [Dan Viglione] and Mrs. [Cheryl] Coyle.

Coach K, in soccer, and Mr. [Tim] Hart, in basketball and lacrosse, helped foster my love for sports and competition as well as showing me the benefits of hard work and dedication. Coach K pushed me out of my comfort zone by asking me to play up with the seventh, eighth, and ninth graders in my first two years in middle school. Even though I was often the smallest person on the field, he told me that by believing in my training and trying to get better every single day, I would contribute to the team. Those lessons, and the opportunity to compete with my friends and for my school, showed me how much more there is to sports.

RCS: How was your high school athletics experience and how did it prepare you for college?

TC: When I arrived at Hotchkiss, I would not have considered myself only a squash player; I loved soccer, playing on the JV team my freshman fall. However, playing on a team made squash even more enjoyable and rewarding because I was training and competing for something bigger than myself. The team squash experience inspired me to set a goal of playing squash in college. I knew it would require hard work and focus both on the court and in the classroom, but I was lucky enough to have amazing teammates, coaches, and friends to challenge me and push me to higher levels. Hotchkiss also allowed me to compete individually outside of school; I would travel to national tournaments on the weekends and over breaks.

RCS: How are things going at Yale?

TC: My first two years were awesome, and I cannot imagine myself anywhere else. Of course, transitioning from high school to college academics and athletics required more focus and effort, but I have enjoyed those challenges. I am studying economics and still taking courses in Latin and ancient history, which I started in fifth grade at RCS. I appreciate Yale’s balance, which allows me to take courses in many areas of study; some of my favorites so far are First Order Logic, Roman History through 13 Objects, and Data Exploration and Analysis. 

Ivy League squash has been a step up in intensity and talent both on my team and from the competition. The practice schedule, fitness requirements, and focus demanded every day have increased, and I have loved the chance to be challenged by great players and play with my best friends every day. The team has become my family.