Throughout her UA career sprinter Marquita Taylor always ran with a white gold cross on a necklace around her neck.

It was her way of connecting her faith to her love of the track. Starting in August, Taylor will have the opportunity to help other student athletes connect to their faith as she interns for Athletes in Action – an organization which combines athletics and Christianity.

“”A lot of people think Christian athletes are weak,”” Taylor said. “”We should be the strongest and the toughest athletes out there.””

Her involvement with Athletes in Action began when she attended at the Christian-based Ultimate Training Camp the summer after her freshman year.

“”After my sophomore year I realized that I needed to incorporate faith into my whole life, instead of just having it on the side,”” Taylor said. “”I wanted to grow my faith in God and wanted to become a better athlete. I think those are the two things that AIA incorporates into the camp.””

Taylor will live in Tucson and intern with Athletes in Action for the 2007-2008 school year. She will mentor other athletes and travel on retreats with the organization.

“”I will be helping (athletes) incorporate God into their sport,”” Taylor said. “”Really just whatever they need help with in life.””

Taylor, who holds UA top-10 times in the 100-meter dash, 200m, 400m and the 4×100m relay, will conclude her final season of eligibility at the June 6-9 NCAA Championships. She said she is “”50-50″” on whether she will continue to train on the track in the future.