Chuck Boyer, who had a 33-year career as the track and cross country coach at La Jolla High School, winning numerous section and league titles, died Jan. 2. He was 82.
Although he oversaw the boys and girls programs, he was mostly credited with the success of the boys in both sports.
His teams captured CIF San Diego Section Division 3 cross country titles in 1990, 1991, 1997, 1998 and 2003. The boys won the section Division 2 cross country crown in 1999 and were a power, finishing second six times between 1992 and 2004.
Boyer guided the boys to 13 state championship appearances, including a second-place finish in the 1990 Division 3 finals.
The same year, the La Jolla girls won state for the second straight season.
Boyer, who taught math, was instrumental in guiding AAU track standout Janice Wiser when girls track and field was started in 1974.
She ran the 100, 220 and 440, but — since La Jolla didn’t yet have a girls team — Boyer had her work with the boys. She won the 100 and 220 at that year’s state meet.
In track, Boyer’s teams collected a San Diego Section Division 2 title in 2005, edging University City; the team finished second in 1998 and 2004. His Vikings were also second to Monte Vista in 1986 when there was just one overall champion.
Boyer coached 11 section titlists, from hurdler Anthony Wolfe (14.75 seconds in 1986) and distance runner Jeff Woodland (9:03.9 in 1978) to pole vaulter Jeff Coover (16-4 in 2005) and thrower Wade Green (162 feet, 9 inches in the discus in 1998 and 56-11¾ shot in 1999).
In 2006, Boyer was inducted into the San Diego Coaching Legends Hall of Fame.
