Cal Poly Pomona Athletics Hall of Fame
Durelle Schimek holds the title for most individual national championships in Cal Poly Pomona Athletics history. Competing for the women’s track & field program from 1987-89, Schimek established herself as a dominant multi-event and throwing athlete on the national stage. She earned five All-American honors across three events - high jump, heptathlon, and javelin - and captured an unmatched three individual national championships from 1988-89.
Her national titles included two championships in the javelin and one in the heptathlon, while becoming an All-American in three separate events in 1988 and two events in 1989. Schimek was also recognized as the Cal Poly Pomona Female Athlete of the Year, adding to her legacy as one of the most decorated athletes both during her era and in program history.
Schimek’s performances remain etched in the Cal Poly Pomona record books. She still holds the school record in the javelin with a mark of 56.94 meters, achieved in 1988. She also ranks second all-time in the high jump at 1.82m and third all-time in the heptathlon at 5507, highlighting her rare combination of power, technique, and all-around athleticism.
Reflecting on her induction, Schimek shared: “Being inducted into the Cal Poly Pomona Hall of Fame is truly an honor. I know a lot of very talented student-athletes have competed for the college, and have many fond memories of my time spent at CPP. Many special friendships were made, and I received knowledge academically and athletically helping to enrich my life to this day.”
Her excellence did not end with her collegiate career. After leaving Cal Poly Pomona, Schimek built a long-standing professional career working for the State of California’s IHSS program, where she has served for many years. While being inducted into the Nevada Union High School Hall of Fame in 2017, she discovered the world of Masters Track & Field, and quickly re-established herself as one of the best javelin throwers in the nation. Since then, she has become the American record holder in the women’s 50–54 and 55–59 age groups in the javelin, achieved the goal of breaking the 50–54 record just one month before aging up, and earned two World Masters Indoor Championships and two World Masters Outdoor Championships, all in the javelin.
