Underdog Role Suits Taylor Former Sandpoint State Champ Battles Back From Knee Injury

In pursuit of his goals, Zac Taylor, like many of his wrestling brethren, has led a focused lifestyle, bypassing activities that are routine to others.

The Sandpoint native loves to hunt and fish, but hasn’t been able to do much of either as a wrestler at the University of Minnesota.

His last date? “About a month ago,” he said. “They come along every once in a while.”

Last movie? “Mission Impossible,” he said. “Before that, who knows?”

Taylor’s mission - and it sounds as though he’s chosen to accept it - is to try to shock the field today and Saturday at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the Spokane Arena.

He’s a long shot in the 163-pound weight class, which features top-seeded Kenny Monday. Eight years ago, Taylor, then 15, met Monday and got his autograph at the U.S. training center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Since then, Monday has won Olympic gold and silver medals, retired and unretired. He’s favored to be the U.S. representative at 163 at the Olympics in Atlanta.

Taylor, meanwhile, is fairly unknown in Trials circles. He’s one of few collegians in the Trials competing this week against older, more experienced opponents, such as the 34-year-old Monday.

But Taylor wants to do more than just give it the old college try.

“It’s always going to be a learning experience, no matter what happens,” said Taylor, 23, a former three-time Idaho state prep champion. “But nothing’s impossible. I got here and everybody who is here has a chance of doing something.

“The way I look at it, every time I wrestle I’m out to win. I’m looking to go in and win matches. That’s the only way I can go in.”

Taylor has credentials, too. He was ranked No. 1 (collegiately) in the nation as a sophomore at Minnesota before tearing a knee ligament in practice 16 months ago. He continued to wrestle, but didn’t place at the NCAAs. He lost in the opening round to a competitor he’d beaten twice during the season.

“For me, I couldn’t stop wrestling,” Taylor said. “I’m pretty big on not having any regrets on what you do. I didn’t want to stop then wonder if I could have placed or won it (the NCAAs) …

“But every time I wrestled it would come out of joint and I couldn’t wrestle the way I wrestle.”

Postseason surgery repaired the ligament. He’s taken off the last year from school to train for his run at the Olympics. He’ll petition the NCAA for an Olympic year, which would prevent him from losing a season of eligibility at Minnesota.

He qualified for the Trials by winning the 180-pound title at the South Regional in Chattanooga, Tenn., but he’s dropping to 163 to enhance his chances.

“I think he can compete, especially at 163,” Minnesota coach J Robinson said. “At 180, he’s probably in over his head. He’s gotten a lot better the last year.”

Taylor’s modified his style to suit the Trials.

“The reason why older guys are the better guys is because it’s a lot more technical than college,” Taylor said. “At this level, if you get out of position you’re going to get scored on.”

Taylor returned home to Sandpoint earlier this week. He’s been working out daily with his dad, Dan, the Sandpoint High coach who will be matside for his son’s matches.

They’ve even squeezed in some fishing on Lake Pend Oreille.

“Caught a 10-pounder,” said Zac, the memory sparking a grin. “Had a few others on.”

He goes after some bigger fish pond today.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo