The 2017 homecoming candidates waited in the tunnel to walk out onto the field, adjusting their sashes.

While waiting for halftime of UK’s homecoming football game they formed a circle, with their hands joined in the middle.

“HC17,” they said in unison as they raised their hands together, as if they were preparing to face an opponent on the field.

But the members of the court weren’t opponents—they had become a family, said Wes Taylor who was named homecoming king moments later. 

He was crowned alongside Jada Linton, the first black woman to be UK homecoming queen.

“I am so excited and happy,” Linton said. “Words can’t describe how much support I feel from UK’s campus, my family, my friends, the homecoming coalition and everyone. It’s just a great feeling.”

Linton, with crown on her head and flowers in hand, walked off the field to the sound of cheers from a group of her friends who were waiting for her just outside the gate.

Linton is President of UK’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and was nominated to the court by the council.

Taylor, who was nominated by the Delta Delta Delta fraternity, could hardly believe that he had won.

“I’m just beyond belief,” Taylor said from underneath his newly-donned prize. “It really hasn’t sunk in the fact that I’ve got the crown.”

Taylor, who is the President of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, found the whole experience to be surreal.

“To be with the whole wildcat community is just something that kind of hits home,” Taylor said. “Especially being close to President Capilouto and his wife, it’s just an unreal experience.”

With the crowning of king and queen and the conclusion of Saturday’s game, UK’s 2017 homecoming week draws to a close.