The MAR Club January Athletes of the Month (l-r) Dani Taylor, Devin Aune, Jordan Barth.

Here are the Mandan Athletic and Recreation Club Athletes of the Month for the month of January:

Dani Taylor – Girls hockey

Grade: Junior

Parents: Marc and Dee Ann Taylor

Taylor, as the girls hockey team’s only goalie, played every minute of every game during the girls’ 2009-10 season. The team, which has no senior and only one junior – Taylor – has had to face a lot of hard action on the ice. Taylor, has been credited with stopping over 50 shots during a few games for the Braves.

Girls Hockey Head Coach Peder Stenslie said of Taylor, “Dani has always put team first. Goalie wasn’t a position she really wanted in the first place; but she accepted it when she was younger because she understood that she was the best at that position. I have always seen Dani approach the game of hockey with that kind of attitude, and it has made our team stronger.”

Taylor is also involved in track and field, rodeo, FFA and Student Council. She is also active in 4-H, the Mandan Horse and Saddle Club and Central Dakota Rodeo Club.

When she graduates in 2011, Taylor is not yet sure where she will attend college, but plans to major in business and political science.

Jordan Barth – Swimming and Diving

Grade: Sophomore

Barth, during the month of January, had three first place finishes at meets, and three second place wins. He took first place at the Fargo South Dual, the Fargo North Dual and the Jamestown Invite.

The Jamestown Invite was the season’s first 10-team invite, and Barth set a new pool record there with a score of 439.20 for 11 dives. In addition to diving, Barth is also on many relays for the Braves, and also shaved 4 seconds off his individual time in the 100 butterfly.

Devin Aune – Swimming and Diving

Grade: Senior

In January, Aune received three first place finishes, and won second place twice. Aune took the first place title for the Manley Invite, Jamestown Dual and at the Bismarck-Century Dual. At the Jamestown Dual, Aune set a new pool record for six dives and earned a total score of 251.50 points.

Devin also fills in on relays, and in January was able to drop 1.5 seconds off his 50 freestyle time.

Boys Swimming and Diving Head Coach Ralph Manley said of both Barth and Aune, “Jordan Barth and Devin Aune have switched first and second places the whole month of January. Both young men are outstanding. The team is very fortunate to have the top two elite divers in the state.”