Before attending North Idaho College, Kornoely was a state runner-up in the tough state of Michigan for Lowell High School. His workout partner at the time was Cornell's All-American, Gabe Dean. This season, Kornoely should be the heavy favorite to win an NJCAA title for the Cardinals in the heavyweight division.
AWP -Taylor, who is responsible for introducing you to the sport of wrestling?
Taylor - I found some old wrestling videos of my uncle wrestling at state when I was little, that's what motivated me to start wrestling.
AWP -Are you planning on wrestling Division I in the near future?
Taylor -Michigan State is a school I would love to wrestle for, I grew up a Spartan fan and it would make my family proud. As of right now I have a lot of NAIA and some division 2 offers but I haven't had an offer from division 1 yet.
AWP -How intense were the workouts with Cornell’s All-American Gabe Dean when both of you were teammates in high school?
Taylor - it was like wrestling a machine, he was fast and didn't know when to stop.
AWP -What valuable lessons did your high school Coach Dave Dean teach you that you still use now?
Taylor - I've been given amazing advice from him, on and off the mat. I've become a better man and a better athlete because of him. I've learned to trust people and become a leader for others.
AWP - What are the academic performance requirements to remain a student athlete at NIC?
Taylor - You need at least a 2.0 GPA at NIC. I keep my GPA between a 2.5 and a 3.0.
AWP -Why do you wrestle?
Taylor - I wrestle because it makes me feel like I'm in control of my life. I get to wrestle with teammates that I love and it’s the drive that makes me want to get better.
AWP -What are you doing now to become successful in March at NJCAA?
Taylor - I am doing almost anything I can to win a NJCAA title, Since last year I've gained 20 pounds from the weight room and I've been practicing as much as I can. I lost to the national champ last year in triple overtime in the semis at nationals and now I have a Bigger Drive than ever to win that National Title.
AWP -How do you prepare for a match?
Taylor - I stretch, drill, drinks a lot of water and a healthy snack. When it gets down to twenty minutes or so before my match I listen to some music to get in the mind set of going out there and starting a War head on with someone else, no matter if I'm winning or losing, my goal is to let that person know that I'm there to Battle.
AWP -What are your future plans on and off the mat?
Taylor - I want to become a k9-unit after I get my bachelor degree, I'm also thinking of a military career as well.
AWP -Is there anything else you would people to know about you?
Taylor - I'd like people to know that I'm a Good kid with a Good heart. I want nothing else but to impress every one of what I'm capable of.
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