FEATURE: Taylor Huntoon Finds Her Path on Track Toward Marriage, Law Enforcement Career

By Sandy Gholston

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – With graduation fast approaching, a career in law enforcement already secured and her wedding just months away, Taylor Huntoon can see everything she's worked toward during her time at Ferris State coming into focus.

Not that she needs one, but it all serves as a reminder that she got it right when she chose Ferris State.

"Ferris State was the only college I visited, and without a doubt, I knew it was the college for me," Huntoon said. "I was attracted to Ferris State's Criminal Justice program and to the cross country coaches and the team."

With graduation less than two months away, Huntoon sees that early vision of discipline and purpose — which has guided her choices — coming into focus, both athletically and academically.

"I am graduating from the Ferris State Law Enforcement Academy this spring, and I already have a job lined up to become a police officer," she said.

Thinking ahead about commencement and life after college can be stressful for many college students, but not for Huntoon. She is not only prepared for what's ahead, but excited about her future.

"I am personally looking forward to post-graduation," she said. "I am getting married in June and starting my job as a police officer in May, and starting a whole new life, which will be fun to see everything I learned throughout my time here at Ferris come into play."

While the ending is shaping up, ideally, Huntoon's college career didn't begin the way she imagined.

"My biggest challenge was change as a freshman," she said. "Unfortunately, I broke my foot during track season in my senior year of high school. That led me to come to Ferris injured and unable to participate during my freshman year."

The injury created an additional challenge coming in as a freshman.

"It created a situation where I felt left out and lost, not knowing what my purpose was and why I was at Ferris," Huntoon said.

What began as a frustrating setback ultimately reshaped her approach—and revealed strengths within her that extended beyond the track.

"Through this challenge, I was able to focus on school a lot more than the normal athlete, which helped me excel in all of my classes, earning a spot on the Dean's List every semester at Ferris," she said.

It reflects her growth.

"My biggest area of growth throughout the years has been my work ethic," Huntoon said. "Not only did I learn to work hard in athletics, but I was able to learn that I could use this in everything else."

She has never stopped working.

"I worked hard to overcome my injuries and excel in running through my junior and senior year at Ferris," Huntoon said. "The mental toughness and motivation have also helped me in my jobs, in my school, and with my friends and family."

Starting the 2025-26 academic year and athletic seasons, Huntoon returned to Ferris State motivated to compete while completing her Law Enforcement Academy training.

"My cross country season went better than I could ever have imagined. I had several new challenges as a senior involved in a police academy," she said. "My schedule is very packed and busy, giving me little time for anything."

Being locked in, seeing her future come into focus, has paid off – in competition and beyond.

That focus has also proven lifestyle-defining.

"I have learned to be very disciplined in what I eat, how much I sleep and how I train on my own," Huntoon said. "I had several personal-best times accomplished."

She ran a 19:37.7 in the 5,000-meter run on Oct. 3 as a senior in 2024 and a 23:12.1 in the 6,000 as a senior in 2025 at the GLIAC Championships.

Next up, writing the final chapter of her Ferris State student-athlete career, is the outdoor track and field season, following the indoor campaign.

"Indoor track season wasn't as successful, but I finished the season strong. I'm looking forward to finishing my last track season strong with fast times," Huntoon said. "My main goal is to enjoy this season and soak in every moment before it is gone."

Beginning the home stretch, Huntoon can take a moment to appreciate the highlights of her senior year.

"My single biggest highlight would be running the distance medley relay with my team, placing fifth in the GLIAC championships," she said. "Relays are fun because you rely on each other during the race, and experiencing this with my friends was a great feeling."

It's all for a good cause at a place she has been proud to call her home away from home.

"It felt like a new family where I could make great friends, and the environment at Ferris was exactly what I was looking for," she said.

As Huntoon prepares to leave Ferris State, she does so with more than memories — carrying the discipline, resilience and purpose that will guide her into a career of service and a new chapter of life.

The Bulldogs will compete in the GLIAC Outdoor Championships on Thursday and Friday, April 30-May 1, in Allendale.