One of the most outstanding features of the Drake track and field program has been the number of runners, hurdlers and jumpers, who have made it into the extremely competitive California State finals since William Taylor started coaching in 1977. Here is the impressive list ---

Lori Saia 800 meters 1977

Lori Saia 800 meters 1978

Mile Relay 1978 (3rd in finals against full state field)
Jenny Davison,
Jenny Baumsteiger,
Lisa Vukicevich,
Lori Saia

Katy Dykstra 1600 meters 1980

Katy Dykstra 1600 meters 1981 (4th in trial heat; missed final nine by 1 tenth of a second)

Dan Caldwell 1600 meters 1981

Katy Dykstra 1600 meters 1982 (ran 2nd in prime state field at Arcadia Invitational earlier in year)

Angela Driller 300m hurdles 1983

Karen Brown 300m hurdles 1984 (3rd place into last hurdle, 5th place finish; 9th best national time)

Mile Relay 1984
Gina Connell
Angela Driller
Christina Teply
Karen Brown

Paul Dachauer 3200 meters 1987

Allison Banks long jump 1988

Jim O'Sullivan high jump 1989 (tied for 5th place; had one of top ten leaps in nation for season)

Richie Boulet 1600 meters 1990 (missed final nine by 1 tenth of a second )

Richie Boulet 1600 meters 1991 (placed 5th against nationally ranked field)

Sean Williams triple jump 1993

Katie Bernarding 800 meters 1997

Honorable mention --- only four athletes advance in the non-relay events from the "Meet of Champions;" here are the Drake athletes who finished in 5th place, just one spot from the state ---

Mile Relay 1980
Michelle Kreuter
Jenny Baumsteiger
Lisa DiVito
Jenny Davision

Gretchen Sweigert long jump 1987

Ben Minor pole vault 1988

Allison Banks long jump 1989

Mark Piambo shot put 1991

Mark Piambo discus 1991

Ann Glenn 3200 meters 1999