Maryville University Athletics

Words that describe Taylor: “Joker” Enduring, Strong, Reliable, Loyal, Soldier, Tough, Trustworthy, Leader, Makes Our Dojo a “Better Place”, Responsible, Hard-Nosed, Intense, Fighter, “Best is Yet To Come”, Straightforward, Academics, “The Joker”.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2021-22: Taylor is a leader by example. He brings his best to the Dojo and to the classroom everyday. He motivates and inspires his Teammates and Coaches by his dedication, commitment, “Work Power” and intense, consistent effort to be the best that he can be. He earned Redshirt Senior Scholar Award, Outstanding Senior, Most Tech Falls, 5X NWCA Scholar All-American, Dr. Lombardi Saint Award, Jeff Miller Award, GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award, 4X Varsity Letter Award, and Div II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award“The Best is Yet to Come”for Taylor on and off the mat. He has done the work. He is a “Positive Force” for us.

2020-21(COVID Shortened Season): As one of our top wrestlers and valuable leaders Taylor earned the following awards. Redshirt Senior Scholar Award, 4X NWCA Scholar All American, NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Champions, Dr. Lombardi Saint Award, ”Ryan Kaufman” Award, 3X Varsity Letter Award, DII Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award, 4X GLVC Academic All-Conference. “The Joker” has the necessary experience, dedication, and commitment to have a huge impact in DII Wrestling. On and off the mat “The Joker” demonstrates his “Leadership by Example”. He is a “Positive Force” and definitely makes our Dojo a “Better Place”. Taylor was a big part in helping the team win its 4th consecutive NWCA DII All-Academic Team National Championship. “The Best Is Yet To BE for The Joker”.  

2019-20: Taylor was unable to compete because of shoulder surgery but he still was a "Leader by Example" in how he handled that adversity. He makes our Dojo a "Better Place". He "Models the Way" for his Teammates. He earned the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award (3x), the NWCA Scholar All-American Award (3x), the Staying Power Award, was selected for the Div. II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award, and was selected to the Geico GLVC Academic All-Conference team for the fourth time. We are Thankful and Grateful "The Joker" is on our side. The "Best is Yet to Be" for him.

2018-19: Taylor has gained valuable experience as a starter the last two years. It paid off this season as he qualified for the National Tournament with an outstanding performance at the NCAA Super Regional where he finished 3rd. His work power, commitment, and dedication are second to none on the mat and in the classroom. He battled through some injuries during the year. He received the Rebounding Power Award for staying strong through those setbacks. He received the Most Improved Award and continues to improve. He received the Outstanding Sophomore Award, the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award, the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award for the second time, and the NCAA Division II National Qualifier Award. He is a Dean’s List student with a 3.619 cumulative GPA. He was selected as a NWCA Division II Scholar All-American for the second time. He was a big part of the team winning the NWCA Team Academic National Championship for the second year in a row. Taylor was selected to the GLVC All-Conference Second Team and was awarded the Wrestler of the Week and OOOSSS award four times during the season. He gives everything he has to everything he does. The “Best is Yet to Come” for him. He is becoming a force in NCAA DII Wrestling.

2017-18: Taylor brings his best to everything he does. He has all the right ingredients to have an impact in Division II Wrestling. He has a bright future for us. He gained valuable experience as our Varsity 133 pounder this year. He opened the season with a 5th place finish at the Kaufman/Brand/ Bayly going 3-2 with two technical falls. Taylor defeated McElfresh of Hannibal-LaGrange 16-0 in 6:15 and again 20-5 in the 5th place match in 5:47. At the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open Taylor placed 4th while recording a fall in 2:25. Taylor wrestled in eleven dual competitions and won 4 matches. Taylor earned his first Varsity Letter Award. A stand out in the classroom, Taylor was selected to NWCA All-Academic Team and received the Dr. Lombardi Saint Award for academic excellence. Taylor receives the Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award and the Grit Award. He was the Wrestler of the Week four times and the OOOSSS Award Winner once during the year.

2016-17: Taylor is one of the Family Tradition Recruits. His father, Jeff, wrestled for Coach Denney. Wrestling unattached, Jokerst  went 15-9, had 6 pins, 1 tech-fall and 1 major decision. He won the Kaufman/Brand Open Amateur Division, went 4-0 with 2 falls, 2 decision and won the championship match 7-4 over Zac Durbin of Missouri Valley. He finished second at the Joe Parisi Open (Lindenwood University), going 4-1 in the Fr./So. Division. Taylor won his first match by fall and had 3 decisions before losing to Jack Wagner of University of Iowa in the finals 12-5. He placed sixth at the Wisconsin Open going 3-3, where he picked a up fall, a sudden victory decision and a tech-fall. Taylor also went 2-2 at the Doane Open. Taylor was Maryville Wrestler of the Week four times, two times Maryville OOOSSS Award winner and named one of team’s Outstanding Redshirts. Taylor is expected to step in and be a starter next season and has the tools to be a force in the Maryville Wrestling program.

Taylor is the son of Jeff and Christina Jokerst. Taylor wrestled at Olathe Northwest High School in Olathe, Kansas. His father Jeff Jokerst wrestled for Coach Denney.

HONORS & AWARDS 2020 3X NWCA Scholar All-American
2020 Staying Power Award
2020 3X Dr. Lombardi Saint Award
2020 GLVC All-Academic (4x)
2020 Div II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award
2019 WOW & OOOSSS Award (4)
2019 Most Improved
2019 Outstanding Redshirt Sophomore
2019 NWCA Scholar All-American (2x)
2019 GLVC All-Conference (Second Team)
2019 NCAA DII National Qualifier
2019 Varsity Letter Award (2x)
2019 Rebounding Power Award
2019 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Warrior Award
2019 Dr. Lombardi Saint Award (2x)
2019 NWCA DII All-Academic National Team Champion
2018 NWCA All-Academic
2018 Varsity Letter Award
2018 Jim “Bongo” Bayly Iron Discipline Award
2018 Dr. Lombardi Saint Award
2018 GRIT Award
2018 Wrestler of the Week (4x)
2018 OOOSSS Award (1x)
2017 Wrestler of the Week (4x)
2017 OOOSSS (2x)
2017 Outstanding Redshirt

High School accomplishments:
USA Junior Nationals Greco-Roman All-American this summer
Kansas 6A State Finalist
2X Kansas 6A State Medalist
2X Greco-Roman State Champion
3X Greco-Roman State Finalist
2X Freestyle State Finalist
Fall Brawl Finalist
130 High School career wins

High School career record: 124 – 42
Freshman: 11 – 9
Sophomore: 35 –14
Junior: 38 –10
Senior: 40 – 9

ABOUT TAYLOR
Birthday: 3/13/98
Nickname: The Joker
Parents: Jeff and Christina Jokerst
Siblings: Brayden and Connor
HS coach’s name(s): Clint Slyter
Greatest moment in wrestling: Reaching All-American status at Junior Nationals in Fargo, ND.
People who have had the greatest influence in your life: Father – Jeff, Mother – Christina, Clint Slyter
Favorite athlete: Jackie Moon
Favorite entertainer: Will Ferrell
Favorite food: Sushi, Pizza or Tamales
Favorite book: Dictionary
Favorite wrestling move: Under hook to a knee tap
Favorite quote: “I am the greatest. I said that before I knew I was.” – Ali
Craziest ambition: Make the Olympic bobsled team
If I could meet one person: Muhammad Ali
I came to Maryville because: The great academics and wrestling program
Best sports advice ever received: Have fun and to open up and relax
Treasured possessions: Comb and shoes
Something people don’t know about me: I was born with blue eyes and I am 1/4 Mexican
10 years from now: National Champion with a good job and family