Chyna Taylor ’27 Named Sports Illustrated SportsKid of the Year 2025
Dec 30, 2025
Congratulations to Chyna Taylor ’27 on being named Sports Illustrated SportsKid of the Year 2025, one of the highest honors awarded to youth athletes in the country.
Introduced by Sports Illustrated, the SportsKid of the Year award recognizes young athletes ages 7–15 who excel on the field of play while also demonstrating excellence in the classroom and service within their communities. The award celebrates not only performance, but character, leadership, and impact.
As this year’s honoree, Chyna will be featured on the December cover of Sports Illustrated Kids and highlighted in a profile article and fold-out poster in the issue. She will also be recognized at Sports Illustrated’s annual Sportsman of the Year celebration in New York City.
Chyna’s accomplishments on the ice speak for themselves. In 2024, at just 15 years old, she became the youngest player on the U.S. U-18 National Team, and the first athlete from Kentucky—male or female—to compete at the national level in hockey. At the 2025 World Championships, she was named best player for Team USA, helping the team earn a silver medal against Canada.
At Lovell Academy Chyna continues to raise the standard. She holds the academy records (boys and girls) for goals, assists, and points by a defenseman. After recording 110 points last season, she surpassed that total by mid-December of the current year!
“She’s the best in the country,” said Lovell Academy girls coach Caitrin Lonergan. “But she wasn’t always.” Chyna’s journey reflects the dedication, growth, and work ethic that define true development. This recognition is a testament not only to her talent, but to the commitment she brings every day.
READ the full Sports Illustrated ARTICLE!