US experience to help Taylor's future
A cross country specialist says he is gaining valuable experience as he makes an impression at university level in the US.
Linton Taylor, 23, of Bassingham, is an integral part of the University of New Mexico cross country team.
The Newark Athletic Club member attended the US university last year as part of his art and design degree at the University of Leeds.
After impressing coaches, Taylor was offered a scholarship and is majoring in sports administration while competing at inter-university meetings.
Taylor said it had been a challenge adjusting to being based in the US, but it had been rewarding.
“When I first fame here in 2015 it was a bit of a culture shock. It felt a bit strange being in an unfamiliar place as you are trying to make new friends in the first few weeks,” he said.
“However, coming back this time has been a lot easier.
“The cross country team are all pretty close and there are a few British team mates and some Europeans, which worksquite well.
“We work hard. It has been great to have this experience out here. It is a fantastic place to come to.”
While many of his Newark team-mates have faced testing conditions in the mud in their cross country season, Taylor admits the conditions could not be more of a contrast in America.
“The cross country races are very different,” he said.
“When things get muddy in Britain you really have to slog through, while in the US a lot of the races seem to be held over golf courses, which makes it easier.
“I guess there is also a lot more of an elitist mentality over here.
“Everyone I am competing with is racing for a university team. If you come here thinking you are the best there will be a whole group of other guys thinking the same.
“When you are at a home race as well, so many people will get behind you and cheer you.
“There is a great spirit here.”
Taylor’s best performance came in his home race at the Mountain West Championships, where he finished 21st overall.
Team events in the US have also seen him take part in cross country races in Wisconsin, Utah and Indiana.
His most recent competition saw him finish ninth over 3,000m at the Martin Luther King Jr Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Taylor comes from a strong cross country background. His mother, Lucy Taylor, represented Great Britain in the 1990 Cross Country World Championships.
Taylor will finish his time at the university in May, and said his experiences could hold him in good stead in the future.
“I want to keep training and building year on year and hopefully I will start moving up the national rankings,” he said.
“In the future I definitely want to be more of a consistent contender near the top level rather than coming in and out of the higher places.
“Something like the Midlands Championships is what I would like to do really well in.”