Nims keeps SU in family

The family tradition continues.

Watertown High School senior Taylor Nims signed a national letter of intent Monday in the school library to play Division I women's lacrosse at Syracuse University.

Nims considered other colleges but decided to uphold a family tradition by playing for the Orange. Her brother, Kenny, will be a senior captain on SU's men's lacrosse team this spring. He helped lead Syracuse to its 10th NCAA title last season. Their late father, Tom, played lacrosse at SU from 1981-85, earning All-America status as a goalie his last two years. He helped the team to a national championship in 1983.

Taylor's cousins, Brendan Loftus and Greg Niewieroski, were also vital members of the Syracuse men's team during the last few years.

"The whole family thing, it was just kind of like it was my turn to go there," Taylor said. "My brother loves that I'm going there. He's always been my person I looked up to, so I always wanted to be like him. ... And he loves Syracuse."

That Taylor would also attend Syracuse University and play lacrosse for the Orange was never a given. She knew she wanted to play college lacrosse but didn't know where, nor did she have a preference whether she played Division I or Division III.

"In the beginning, I didn't think Syracuse was an option," Taylor admitted.

Her other choices included Hobart and William Smith, SUNY Cortland and St. John Fisher. She became more intrigued with Syracuse when the women's team took on a new head coach last season, according to her parents.

"I think the kicker was Gary Gait became the coach last year and they were successful, and that sort of changed her outlook," said Taylor's stepfather, Alex Korwek.

As she gained experience and improved her skills over the summer, the choice become more clear.

"Taylor had to become more confident that she was a player that could go to Syracuse, and that took a while," her mother Julie Korwek said.

Taylor played at Empire State Games and also competed on the Star Riders, a travel team out of Syracuse.

"That really boosted her confidence, to play with the level of talent that was on both teams this summer," Julie Korwek said.

Although the family's tradition at Syracuse factored into her decision, no pressure was placed on her by her family.

"My mom has always been like, 'You don't have to go there.'" Taylor said. "It's not like I had to, but I decided I wanted to."

"She considered other colleges," Watertown girls lacrosse coach Nunzio Fazio said. "But when you talk about Syracuse University and the tradition with her dad going there as an All-American and her brother going there as a team captain this year, I think she has a special place in her heart for that."

Nims is relieved the decision-making process is behind her.

"I'm so happy it's over with," she said. "It's hard when we're up north because coaches don't come up here a lot. So I had to travel a ton this summer, like to summer tournaments, so coaches could see me."

Taylor, who plays attack for the Cyclones, recorded 82 goals and 55 assists in her three years on varsity. She was a Frontier League all-star, scholar athlete and Times All-North first team selection last season. She also has played soccer for the Cyclones.

Already named a team captain for the spring season, Taylor is expected to be a leading force for the Cyclones, who finished 16-4, 8-2 last season.

The goals for her include playing well, having fun and staying healthy.

"She will now relax," Fazio said. "I find that when kids sign or they're committed to a school, they relax and they play their best lacrosse."