Lewis & Clark College

Nearly 30 years after graduation, James Taylor still ranks as one of the top throwers in track & field program history. The four-time Northwest Conference Champion is the program-record holder in the shot put and still sits in the top-50 in the discus, hammer and javelin. As a senior, Taylor broke a 13-year program record in the shot put by launching the implement 15.77M (51-7.25 Feet). No one has come within four feet of his record since he graduated. Taylor also sits third in the discus (50.16M – 164-5.50 Feet) and his mark is the best by a Pioneer since 1985. The dual-sport athlete ranks 10^th all-time in the hammer (46.51M – 152-6.0 Feet) and 42^nd in the javelin (50.88M – 166-9.25 Feet). He won the conference title in both the shot put and discus as a sophomore and junior and added three second-place finishes at conference over his career. Taylor competed at NAIA Nationals twice and earned All-American honors as a junior when he placed fifth in the shot put. In addition to his track & field prowess, Taylor made an impact on the gridiron. He was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter with the football team and made an impact on the defensive line.  Taylor was named an All-Star twice, including earning a spot on the First Team as a junior. He finished his career with 116 tackles and eight sacks.