On February 6, Linganore held its annual signing day. Eleven athletes committed to play a sport at the collegiate level, including Taylor Koch, who will swim at Mount St. Mary’s University next winter.

Current captain Koch has participated all four years, and has been a force in Frederick County this swim season. Her performance helped secure the swim team many victories throughout the season, pushing them to their first county title. Koch has been swimming for 12 years, and her mother, Kelly, has been one of her coaches since she was six.

When asked if she was nervous about playing at a higher level, she said, “No, my team now already competes at a high level. I’m actually excited.”

Koch has participated in the 200-meter medley relay, the 50-meter freestyle, and the 400-meter freestyle relay. She will leave her mark, helping the team set 5 school records and 3 county records.

“She is a natural leader, and is an inspiration to the team,” Coach Joseph Hawkins said.  “We are losing a top swimmer, and we are going to have to find someone to step up and take her spot.”

Last year’s swim coach, Jeanna Panarella, said, “She is outgoing and is a really hard worker. She always tried and never said no.”

Along with leading the Linganore swim team, Koch is a member of of the Frederick Area Swim Team, through which she met coaches and was recruited to swim at Mount Saint Mary’s.

The decision for Koch to attend Mount St. Mary’s was a long process, but her and her family know that they have chosen the right school. “I was very involved (in Taylor’s school choice). We went to about 10-15 colleges and talked to all of their coaches, and Mount St. Mary’s fit instantly,” said Taylor’s mother, Kelly Koch.

As excited as she is to watch her daughter in college, Koch also feels emotional for her daughter. She said, “I want to make sure that I taught her the right things.”

The Mount Saint Mary’s Women’s Swimming and Diving team currently has a record of 5-3 in the 2018-2019 season, and is surely receiving a great member of the team next year.