Mark Taylor
Track and Field 1977-1979
Mark began running track as a junior at Fremont High School in Los Angeles in 1976. At that time, distances were measured in yards. He ran the 100, the 220, and was a member of the 440 relay team. He won the 100 yard dash at the Pepsi meet with a time of 9.7 and ran the 220 in 22.1. He was also a member of the city championship 440 relay team.
After high school, Mark was recruited to Cosumnes River College to run track. His events included: the 100 meter, the 200 meter, and he was a member of the 400 meter, 800 meter and 1600 meter relay teams. Mark accomplished many outstanding marks while competing for CRC. He is ranked 2
nd on CRC’s top ten list in the 100 meters with a time of 10.6 and 3rd on the CRC top ten list in the 200 meter with a time of 21.4. Mark was part of the school record 1600 meter relay team which ran 3:11.9. He was also a member of the 400 meter relay team that is ranked 2nd on CRC’s top ten list with a time of 40.9. Mark placed in the top three in the conference in the 100 and the 200 meters. For his efforts on the track, Mark received a track scholarship to Cal State LA where he competed in 1980.
He left LA after the 1980 track season and returned to Sacramento. He enrolled at Sacramento State University, where he competed in track during the 1982 season. He was not on scholarship but wanted to finish his eligibility. He then went on to work at McClellan Air Force Base for 15 years as an Aircraft Sheet Metal and Fiber Glass Worker. He returned to Sacramento State University and completed his degree in physical education in 1997. Mark received his Masters in Education from National University in 1999.
Mark has been coaching track at Valley High School in South Sacramento since 1983. He is currently in his 26
th year of coaching at Valley High and he has assisted in raising the standard of girl’s athletics at Valley High School. His teams have won five Girl’s Sac Joaquin Section Championships. His girl’s 4 X 400 relay team set the section record twice with times of 3:51 and 3:39.6. His girl’s 4 X 100 relay team set the section record with a time of 47.2. Many of his female athletes have received full track and field scholarships to institutions such as UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and Cal State Fullerton. More than ten of his male athletes have received combination Football/Track scholarships. Mark was named the Sac Joaquin Section Track and Field Coach of the Year in 1995.
Mark came back to Cosumnes as a coach for two years, working with the sprinters in 1991 and 1992. His 4 x 400 meter relay team placed 5th at the Norcal Meet with a time of 3:15.9 and is ranked 4th on the CRC’s top ten list. Each athlete on this relay team went on to compete in Track at a four year institution. Mark later coached at Sacramento City College, where he also worked with the sprinters. His men’s team won the NorCal Championship.
Mark is currently teaching physical education at Valley High School and coaching track. He also teaches part-time at Sacramento City College. Mark and his wife Cheryl have been married for 27 years. They live in South Sacramento and have two daughters, Shawantay 26, and Vanessa 18. Mark still runs everyday at Cosumnes River College.