When it comes to competing on the track, Santa Maria High’s Steven de Comarmond is regularly getting a leg up on the competition.
During a meet at Righetti High on March 3, the two-time defending Los Padres League champion in the 100-meter hurdles posted a 14.05 time to win the event, his fastest time ever. He also took home the 300-meter hurdles with a 40.14 time and ran legs on Santa Maria’s victorious 4-by-100 and 4-by-400 relay teams.
“I’m doing well in all my events,” de Comarmond said. “It’s the preseason, so I’m looking forward to having a good season.”
Though he excels in most of the events in which he participates, including the 300-hurdles, his favorite is the 4-by-100 relays, where he’s led the Saints to back-to-back league championships. Track coach David Tyler credited de Comarmond with bringing the whole relay unit to new heights.
“He’s the leader of this team,” he said. “As a coach I have the privilege of sitting back, wondering what else can I challenge him with.”
By the time CIF rolls around in the summer, Tyler said, an individual state title for de Comarmond is a distinct possibility. Saints head track coach Mike Regan, who also coached de Comarmond on the football field, praised the speedy senior for his work ethic and intelligence.
“He’s a great kid,” Regan said. “He’s got a high G.P.A. and he should move on to somewhere in college.”
Though de Comarmond has garnered interest from Long Beach State and Cal State Los Angeles, he’s not looking to attend any particular school. Right now, he said, he’s concentrating primarily on his ultimate goals for this track season.
“Personally, it’s winning state,” he said. “But as a team, we want to win league.”
This article appears in Mar 17-24, 2011.
