Otterbein wrestlers honor teammate who died in car crash

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — The Otterbein University men's wrestling team is honoring the life of Josh Taylor, a sophomore teammate who died in a car crash Jan. 2 in Licking County.

At the end of every meeting, practice or match, the team huddles together. Each time they break the huddle they collectively say "JT," Taylor's initials. 

“It’s something that is just going to kind of keep that memory there as we move forward. And we want it to be a good memory," Brent Rastetter, head coach of the team, said. "We just want to make sure we all kind of remember the impact that Josh made during the short time he was here."

Rastetter recruited Taylor out of high school in Licking County. He said the 19-year-old had a lot of grit, a special toughness about him, and was overall a great person.

“He was pretty humble. He didn't need the likes or the things of that nature. He just kind of did his thing," Rastetter said.

His teammates said they've missed him around practice. Taylor was team captain Cale Callahan's drill partner.

“It’s not so much about the quantity of words he said, it was about the quality of words he said. And the quality was just through the roof of what he said about everybody," Callahan said.

Those who knew Taylor said he spoke more through his actions than words. Rastetter said this is one of the closest knit teams he's coached and Taylor will always be a part of it.

“It's basically for life, once you’re part of this you’re part of this, so he’s always going to be able to be remembered as part of the Otterbein wrestling family," Rastetter said.

Callahan told NBC4 Taylor was always looking out for those around him.

“Winning and losing in wrestling comes and goes, but the relationships you build, the moments you have is what really matters and being able to share that with Josh was really special," he said.

The team's first match without Taylor is on Jan.11. They will be wearing mourning bands with "JT" on their warmups.