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Eastern Illinois Athletics wrapped up its 20th year as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in May.  As a way to celebrate the many accomplishments, both team and individual during that time period, EIU conducted an online poll during the month of May for fans to help select the Top 20 athletes of the Panthers OVC Era.  During the month of June we will unveil the top 20 athletes as selected by the more than 2,500 fan votes submitted.  The original list of 40 athletes was comprised by a committee looking at a variety of criteria including Player of the Year, All-American selection and multiple time first-team All-OVC honors.  
 
#7 J.R. Taylor (1999-2002)
 
Taylor was a touchdown scoring machine for the Eastern Illinois football program helping the Panthers make three straight FCS playoff appearances.   Taylor set the EIU single season record for rushing touchdowns as a junior in 2001 scoring 18 times to earn first team All-OVC honors.  He would match that total his senior season with 18 touchdowns to once again earn first team All-OVC honors.  Taylor rushed for 1,522 yards in 2002 to earn consensus first team All-American honors.  He set the school single game record for rushing yards with 308 in a win over Florida Atlantic.   Taylor ranks fourth all-time on the EIU career rushing list with 3,705 yards.  He is first on the EIU career scoring list with 51 touchdowns and 310 total points.  His 51 touchdowns rank third all-time in the Ohio Valley Conference. 
 
Taylor currently works in special education in the Chicago area and plays semi-professional football with the Racine Raiders of the Mid-States Football League

EIU OVC Era Top 20 Countdown
#20 - Meleah Cutler (Volleyball / 1996-99)
#19 - Sean Lyons (Baseball / 1996-99)
#18 – Rick Kaye (Men's Basketball / 1995-98)
#17 – Jade Riebold (W Track / 2012-14)
#16 – Rachel Galligan (W Basketball / 2006-09)
#15 – Cara LeMaster (W Soccer / 1999-02)
#14 – Erica Gerth (Volleyball / 2001-04)
#13 – Kandace Arnold (W Track / 2007-10)
#12 – Reynae Hutchinson (Volleyball & Softball / 2010-14)
#11 – Erik Lora (Football / 2009-13)
#10 – Amber May (Softball / 2009-11)
#9 – Beth Liesen (W Soccer / 2000-03)
#8 – Mick Viken (M Track & Field / 2011-14)

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