Olympic's Christian Demouchet heads into the district meet as Kitsap's top hurdler.
By Nathan Joyce, njoyce@kitsapsun.com
May 17, 2006
If track and field worked like thoroughbred horse racing, it would be no surprise that Christian Demouchet has done as well as he has this year.
\"There's good bloodlines there,\" Olympic track and field coach Greg Chapman said.
Demouchet, a senior hurdler for the Trojans, won a pair of Narrows League titles Saturday. He's just the latest in his family to experience track success.
You can start with his older brother. Dominique Demouchet won the state 300 hurdles title in 1997 for Central Kitsap.
There's also his mother, Camelia (then Walker) who was fourth in the state in the 100 at West Bremerton in 1976. His uncle Jerome Walker also went to state in the 100 for Bremerton in 1979.
Demouchet grew up watching his older brother, anxious for his turn.
And this year, he's definitely made the most of it.
He's near school records in both the 110 high and 300 intermediate hurdles. As district meets open all over the state this week, Demouchet will be chasing his first berth to the Class 4A state tournament. He will need to finish in the top eight at the Class 4A West Central/Southwest meet Friday and Saturday at Mount Tahoma.
Last year, Demouchet made it as far as districts, where he placed 12th and went home.
The desire to take that next step brought out a new Demouchet.
Previously, he'd been shy around competitors.
\"I'd get really intimidated, by people's times and how they made it look so easy,\" Demouchet said. \"I'd just get really nervous.\"
Now, he's the guy who can have that effect on the competition.
\"I'm not worrying about anybody else,\" he said. \"I'm just focusing on myself.\"
And that's worked well this season.
Demouchet has the 12th-best time in the state this year in the 110 (15.15 seconds). His time will be fifth-best among competitors at the district meet, which comprises half the state field. His 300 best (40.22) isn't among the state leaders, but only four hurdlers at districts have better times.
\"I just really want to go to state,\" Demouchet said. \"Just to say 'I'm going to state.' It's such an achievement, and it's a goal I've always wanted.\"
This next two weeks of track won't be the end of Demouchet's track career. He's headed to Central Washington University on a partial scholarship.
Last Step to State
District track and field meets
Class 4A/3A West Central/Southwest district meet
Friday (2 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.), Mount Tahoma, Tacoma
Berths to state: Eight for 4A; Three for 3A
Class 3A SeaKing District meet
Today (3 p.m.) and Friday (3 p.m.) at Southwest Athletic Complex, Seattle
Berths to state: Four.
Class 2A West CentralDistrict meet
Today (3 p.m.) and Friday (3 p.m.) at Eatonville
Berths to state: Two.
Class B Tri-District meet
Saturday (10 a.m.) at Edmonds-Woodway Stadium
Berths to state: Four.