The independent, student-run news site of Eastern Washington University.

The Easterner
The independent, student-run news site of Eastern Washington University.

The Easterner
The independent, student-run news site of Eastern Washington University.

The Easterner
Taylor Newquist

Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor

Taylor Newquist is The Easterner’s Sports Editor. Newquist, a senior studying journalism, was born in Yakima, and graduated Selah High School in 2015. He is an avid consumer of all things sports and politics, and looks to find stories that go deeper than the playing field. He plans on having a career working for local newspapers after college.

All content by Taylor Newquist
Sophomore Tamir Hill celebrates with Sophomore Kedrick Johnson after Johnson returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown at the end of the first half. The Eagles scored 13 points on special teams and seven on defense.

All momentum blocked

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
December 1, 2018
Cooper Kupp and Shaq Hill celebrate a touchdown in the 2016 semifinal against Youngstown State. EWU ultimately lost the game when the Penguins scored a last second touchdown.

Playoffs make heroes and heartbreak

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 28, 2018
Senior defensive end Jim Townsend celebrates a sack against UC Davis on Nov. 10. Townsend has three sacks this year.

Championship push starts in Cheney

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 28, 2018
Senior forward Jesse Hunt shoots the game tying 3-pointer to send the game into overtime. Hunt scored a career-high 32 points.

Aussie bests the Kangaroos

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 17, 2018
Junior running back Tamarick Pierce and senior lineman Beau Byus celebrate a touchdown against UC Davis on Nov. 10. EWU scored six rushing touchdowns in the game.

No doubt about it

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 14, 2018
Senior guard Ty Gibson takes a shot against North Dakota last season. Gibson made 61 3-pointers in his junior year.

Old guard among Eagle sharpshooters

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 14, 2018
Senior cornerback Nzuzi Webster celebrates as he runs in an interception to open the scoring in the second half. Webster's touchdown was his first of his career.

Eagles batter Aggies in second half

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 10, 2018
Freshman defender Ashley Valdivieso

EWU soccer player keeps cool during mid-air emergency

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 7, 2018
Senior linebacker Ketner Kupp celebrates a tackle against Idaho on Oct. 27. Kupp leads the Eagles with 56 tackles this season.

Top five showdown for first place in Big Sky

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
November 7, 2018
Sophomore Eric Barriere takes a snap against Idaho on Oct. 27. Barriere finished the game with a career-high 326 yards passing.

Eagles to face Northern Colorado as Barriere takes starting QB role

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 31, 2018
Senior Ty Gibson drives into the lane against North Dakota last season. Gibson is one of the teams' three seniors.

Men’s basketball ready to shoot from downtown

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 31, 2018
Senior midfielder Allison Raniere awaits a corner kick in a match against Portland State on Sept. 23. Raniere was an All-Big Sky honorable mention.

Two-time defending champions EWU bounced in first round of Big Sky Tournament

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 31, 2018
Sophomore Eric Barriere throws a pass against Idaho. Barriere threw for a career high 326 yards in the game.

Eagles win, Barriere era begins

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 27, 2018
The EWU football team enters Roos Field on Oct. 6, 2018 before a victory over Southern Utah.

Opinion: Will EWU football leave a doubt this season?

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 24, 2018
Senior cornerback D'londo Tucker smiles as he leaves the field against Southern Utah on Oct. 6. Tucker has 24 tackles and an interception this year.

Vandals come to Cheney for the first time in 24 years

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 24, 2018
Senior Roldan Alcobendas attempts a field goal against Washington State on Sept. 15. Alcobendas is one of six kickers in the nation to make every field goal attempt this year.

Kicking his way into the record books

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 17, 2018
EWU sophomore QB Eric Barriere drops back to pass against Southern Utah University on Oct. 6. The Eagles beat the Thunderbirds 55-17.

Barriere leads Eagles over Thunderbirds

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
October 6, 2018
EWU RB Sam McPherson finds some room against Cal Poly on Sept. 22. McPherson finished with 84 yards and two touchdowns | Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Eagles tame Mustangs to open Big Sky play

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
September 22, 2018
EWU RB Tamarick Pierce finds some open space during EWU's 59-24 loss to Washington State on Sept. 15 | Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Eagles claw, but can’t dig out of first half hole

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
September 15, 2018
Easterner Archives

No. 6 EWU look to spoil No. 18 NAU’s home opener

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
September 6, 2018
The EWU colors fly before the football season opener against Central Washington University on Sept. 1. EWU beat CWU 58-13 | Jeremy Burnham for The Easterner

Nsimba roars past the Wildcat defense

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
September 1, 2018
The EWU football team takes the field before its scrimmage on August 25 | Jeremy Burnham for The Easterner

Freshmen feel a part of the Eagle family

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
August 25, 2018
EWU football takes the field for its second practice of the season | Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

Eagles get back to business

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
August 7, 2018
EWU quarterback Gage Gubrud and safety Mitch Fettig at the Big Sky Conference’s summer meetings | Taylor Newquist for The Easterner

EWU Football No. 1 in Big Sky coaches and media pre-season polls

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
July 17, 2018
A knack for nutrition

A knack for nutrition

By Taylor Newquist, Sports Editor
June 24, 2018
Head football coach Aaron Best leads the football team out after halftime against Weber State last season. Best has been a part of the Eagles' last eight Big Sky Championships - one as a player and seven on the coaching staff | Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Aaron Best ready for second season at the helm

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
June 7, 2018
Athletic Director Lynn Hickey during her introductory press conference on April 25. Hickey is focused on pinpointing and solving problems in the athletic department at this point in her tenure | Photo courtesy of EWU

EWU Athletic Director Lynn Hickey and the athletic department prep for a busy summer

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
June 6, 2018
Senior Paula Gil-Echevarria competes in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Big Sky Championships on May 10. On May 25, Gil-Eehevarria placed 27th in the event at the NCAA West Preliminaries | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Eags’ outdoor track & field campaign ends in Sacramento

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 31, 2018
Senior Erin Clark prepares to pole vault at a recent practice. Clark will compete in the event at the NCAA West Preliminary Championship in Sacramento this weekend | Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

Sactown showdown: Eags prep for NCAA West Prelims

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 23, 2018
The 2017-2018 track and field team at the beginning of the season. At the Outdoor Championships, the men grabbed fourth place while the women finished sixth | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Season in review: EWU’s outdoor track transformation

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 23, 2018
Senior Rebecca Tarbert (center) posing with her 100-meter first place medal at the Big Sky Championships on May 11. Tarbert, who is the first Eagle to win the event since 1994, secured the title in 11.64 seconds | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

EWU sprinters shine at outdoor championships

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 16, 2018
Sophomore Keshun McGee competes in the long jump at the Whitworth Buc Scoring Meet on March 17. At the Big Sky Championships on May 11, McGee won the long jump and placed second in the triple jump | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Keshun McGee jumps to top of Big Sky

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 16, 2018
EWU basketball alumna Ashli Payne prepares for the layup against an Atomeromu KSC Szekszard defender while she played for GDESSA of Portugal. Payne is currently playing professionally in Australia after spending the winter playing in Portugal. | Photo courtesy of Ashli Payne

EWU basketball alumna Ashli Payne continues hoops career abroad

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 11, 2018
Junior Parker Bowden participates in the 110-meter hurdles at the Pelluer Invitational on April 14. Bowden enters the Big Sky Conference Outdoor Championships ranked tied for third in the event. | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

EWU track sets sights on Big Sky medals

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 9, 2018
Freshman Jacob Christner (left) and senior Mason Nicol compete in the 1,500-meter at the Pelluer Invitational on April 14. Last weekend, the Eagles had seven first-place finishes at the OSU High Performance meet in Corvallis | Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

EWU track and field excels at OSU as outdoor season winds down

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 2, 2018
EWU athletic director Lynn Hickey at her introductory address on April 25 at Reese Court. Hickey was named the permanent AD after serving as the interim for over two months | Photo courtesy of Eastern Washington University

New EWU athletic director Lynn Hickey’s busy first week

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
May 2, 2018
Sophomore Keshun McGee competes in the triple jump at Pelter Invitational on April 14. On April 21 at the Beach Invitational, McGee triple jumped 51-4 1/4 feet, placing him first overall in the Big Sky Conference and No. 20 in the nation | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

Eagles continue to climb up Big Sky ranks

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 25, 2018
Lynn Hickey during a University of Texas at San Antonio press conference in 2016. Hickey, who left UTSA in 2017, was hired as EWU's new athletic director on April 25 | Photo courtesy of San Antonio Express-News

Lynn Hickey named EWU athletic director

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 25, 2018
EWU AD finalists Lynn Hickey and Vince Otoupal make their case

EWU AD finalists Lynn Hickey and Vince Otoupal make their case

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 20, 2018
Women's basketball alumna Tisha Phillips waits to check in during the WBI quarterfinals last season. Phillips recently returned from a one-month professional contract in Ireland. | The Easterner Archives

EWU basketball alumna Tisha Phillips fulfills hoop dreams overseas

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 19, 2018
Freshman Alexis Rolan triple jumps during the 46th Annual Pelluer Invitational on April 14. Rolan took first in three individual events at the meet: the 100-meters, 200-meters and long jump. | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

EWU track and field sweeps at 46th Annual Pelluer Invitational

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 18, 2018
Junior runner Parker Bowden Jr. participates in the 110-meter hurdles at the War XI in Spokane Falls Community College on April 7. Bowden placed second in the event with a time of 14.74 seconds, just .01 seconds behind the first place runner | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

EWU track and field shines despite April showers at the War XI at SFCC

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 12, 2018
Junior Kailey Wallis caries the ball during practice on April 9. Wallis, who is one of the team's captains, said rugby is "the craziest sport you can ever play." | Bailey Monteith for The Easterner

EWU women’s rugby club ready for spring after undefeated fall slate

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 12, 2018
Freshmen sprinters Bella Millsap (left) and Alexis Rolan (right) competing at the Buc Scoring Meet on March 17. At the Texas Relays on March 30, Rolan ran the 100 meters with a time of 11.56 seconds (the second fastest time in school history).

EWU track and field soars at multiple meets

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 5, 2018
EWU alum plays part in helping children with hearing loss

EWU alum plays part in helping children with hearing loss

By Taylor Newquist, Reporter
April 5, 2018

Eagles confident as outdoor track begins

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
March 14, 2018
(left to right) Junior Parker Bowden (2nd, 60m hurdles), senior Rebecca Tarbert (1st, 60m), freshman Alexis Rolan (2nd, 60m; 2nd, 200m), junior Larry Still (1st, pole vault), junior Elizabeth Prouty (1st, pole vault) and junior Aaron Pullin (3rd, pole vault) pose with their medals | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Six Eagles medal at Big Sky Indoor Championship

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
February 28, 2018
Senior Rebecca Tarbert (center) competes at an outdoor meet last season. Target enters the Big Sky Championship ranked first in the 60 meters with a time of 7.57 seconds | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Track & Field: Big Sky Championship Preview

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
February 21, 2018
Sophomore Keshun McGee jumps during the 2017 outdoor season. McGee placed first in the long jump and second in the triple jump at the Husky Classic | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Track finishes strong, awaits conference championship

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
February 14, 2018
Sophomore Keshun McGee jumps during the 2017 outdoor season. McGee has aspirations to compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics | Photo courtesy of EWU Athletics

Keshun McGee: 20/20 vision

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
February 8, 2018
Then-freshman Keshun McGee at the 2017 Big Sky Conference Outdoor Championships. McGee's triple jump of 51-4 1/2 feet at the UW Invitational last weekend was a personal best, and ranks as the second-best triple jump in EWU history | Photo courtesy of Brad Wall

Track and field travels to Seattle for UW Invitational, McGee soars again

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
January 31, 2018
EWU defender Austin Breen during a home game against Selkirk College on Jan. 21. Breen scored one of the team's three goals in the 6-3 loss to Selkirk | Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner

Men’s hockey drops pair, fall to 1-14 on season

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
January 24, 2018
Through EPIC Adventures, EWU students will participate in dogsledding as well as other winter sessions in Montana in January and February. This is the sixth year EPIC has attended Base Camp Bigfork | Photo courtesy of Base Camp Bigfork

EPIC to attend Montana dogsledding sessions

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
January 17, 2018
The President's Holiday Reception serves dessert instead of a full Thanksgiving meal for the first time in years. STCU presented a $2.500 donation for the food drive | Dayana Morales for The Easterner

STCU surprises EWU with food pantry donation

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
November 15, 2017

Recurring program assists in internship searches

By Taylor Newquist, Contributor
November 10, 2017
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