While at Villanova, Paul Drayton was a member of the U.S. relay team (with Frank Budd, Hayes Jones, and the non-Olympian Charles Frazier) which set a world record of 39.1 for the 4x100 m in the 1961 U.S.-USSR dual meet in Moskva. Three years later, in Tokyo, he played a part in bringing that record down to 39.0 and was the only runner on both record-breaking teams. He won the AAU 200m in 1961 and 1962, and tied with Henry Carr for the 1963 220y title. His winning time of 20.5 in 1962 equalled the world record. He defeated Carr, previously unbeaten that season, at the Final Trials, but it was Carr who took the Olympic title, with Drayton finishing second. Drayton settled with his wife near Cleveland, where he worked for many years as deputy project director for the city’s Division of Recreation. After retirement, he worked part-time for the sheriff’s department.
Personal Bests: 100y – 9.3 (1961); 100 – 10.2 (1962); 200 – 20.55y (1962); 440y – 47.2 (1964).
United States