Aquinas College

Taniya West (Tuh-nye-yuh)
    Taniya West, from Chicago, Illinois, is majoring in Clinical Exercise Science and arrives at Aquinas with seven years of elite rugby experience. A graduate of J. Sterling Morton West High School (Class of 2022), West earned the Hammer Award and Captain’s Award, and helped lead her team to the 2022 Illinois State Championship. Her playing résumé includes stints with U18 Tornadoes, Chicago Lions, and U23 CARFU Select Side, giving her valuable high-level competition experience. “I’m excited to develop with my team and throughout my academics,” she said. Her goals are to keep improving and pass her classes while pushing her limits on the field. Off the pitch, Taniya loves her orange cat, Phineas (named after Phineas and Ferb) and lists Coraline as her favorite movie.