PLAINVIEW, Texas – Wayland Baptist University Athletics is proud to announce that former distance standout
Edward Taragon will be inducted posthumously into the
Wayland Baptist University Athletics Hall of Honor as a member of the
2026 Hall of Honor Class. One of the most accomplished distance runners in program history, Taragon's legacy extends far beyond his athletic achievements, leaving a lasting impact on the Wayland community through his perseverance, humility and unwavering faith.
A native of Kenya, Taragon came to Wayland Baptist with dreams of competing at the highest level while earning a college degree. During his three seasons as a Pioneer, he developed into one of the NAIA's premier distance runners, earning multiple All-American honors in cross country and track & field while helping elevate Wayland's national prominence.
Taragon's Wayland journey was marked by extraordinary adversity. Shortly after arriving in Plainview, doctors discovered a congenital hole in his heart, forcing him to miss the 2009 cross country season while undergoing corrective surgery. With the support of the Plainview community, Colonial Baptist Church and the Richardson family, Taragon was able to remain at Wayland, undergo successful surgery and return to competition stronger than ever. His remarkable comeback became an inspiring testament to faith, resilience and the power of a caring community.
Following his recovery, Taragon immediately returned to elite form during the 2010-11 season. He earned
NAIA Cross Country All-American honors with an eighth-place finish at the national championships, helping lead the Pioneers to a
national runner-up team finish. During the indoor track season, he placed second in the 3,000 meters to earn another NAIA All-American honor before adding outdoor All-American recognition with a fourth-place finish in the 10,000 meters. He also captured the
Sooner Athletic Conference championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Taragon followed with an even more remarkable senior season in 2011-12. He won the Buffalo Stampede, finished runner-up at both the South Plains Invitational and the Mid-States Classic and placed third at the Sooner Athletic Conference Championships to earn All-SAC honors. At the NAIA Cross Country National Championships, he finished fourth in the nation to earn his second consecutive Cross Country All-American honor.
His success continued on the track that spring, where he earned two more NAIA All-American honors after finishing runner-up in the 5,000 meters and third in the 10,000 meters at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, concluding one of the most decorated distance-running careers in Wayland history.
Over his Pioneer career, Taragon earned
six NAIA All-American honors across cross country, indoor track and outdoor track while becoming one of the program's most respected student-athletes. His determination to overcome significant health challenges and return to national championship form embodied the perseverance and competitive spirit that define Wayland Athletics.
Following his graduation, Taragon returned home to Kenya. Tragically, he passed away in 2017 at the age of 32. Although his life was cut far too short, his legacy continues to inspire those who knew him. His story remains one of courage, gratitude and unwavering determination, and his impact on Wayland Baptist University extends well beyond the finish line.
Edward Taragon's remarkable athletic accomplishments, inspiring perseverance and lasting influence on the Wayland community make him a deserving member of the
2026 Wayland Baptist University Athletics Hall of Honor.
The 2026 Hall of Honor class will be formally inducted during a ceremony this fall as Wayland Baptist University celebrates the accomplishments and enduring legacy of its newest Hall of Honor members.
Class of 2026 Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony
The 2026 WBU Athletics Hall of Honor ceremony will be held on the morning of October 24 on the campus of Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas.
