Karen Rayle was Talawanda’s first really great female track
and cross country athlete. She still holds four Talawanda
school records in track and one in cross country. Her time
of 10:44.5 for 3200 meters is still in the top ten in Ohio.
Karen was all state in cross country in 1984 and ‘85, and
all state in track in 1985 and 1986. She was the Ohio state
champion in 1986 in the 3200 meter run, the first state
title by a Talawanda girl. She also won two MML cross
country titles and seven MML track titles.
Upon graduation, Karen was awarded an athletic grant-in-aid
to the University of Oregon. In the fall of 1986, Karen was
a member of Oregon’s N.C.A.A. national championship cross
country team. In 1988, she ran in the National Olympic
marathon trials.