T.O.'s De Mirjian soaring to new heights
By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Garrett De Mirjian

For the past few years, Thousand Oaks High senior Garrett De Mirjian has used his 6-foot-3 frame to out-leap defensive backs on the football field.

Now, De Mirjian is reaching new heights as a member of the TOHS track team.

De Mirjian competes in the long jump, 110 and 300 hurdles as well as the high jump for the Lancers.

At the Camarillo Classic Invitational earlier this year, De Mirjian equaled a personal best when he posted a mark of 6-4 in the high jump.

"I definitely like competing in football a little more, but now that my football career is over at Thousand Oaks, I can concentrate solely on what I do in track," De Mirjian said. "I believe that's the main reason for my improvement."

De Mirjian first attempted the high jump during his sophomore season and was shocked at the results.

"I wanted to try something new, so I figured I'd give it a shot," De Mirjian said. "I didn't think I would do that well, but then I jumped a 6-4 and got third place at my first meet."

Thousand Oaks head track and field coach Steve Kloch said he knew De Mirjian would be a perfect fit on the track.

"The first time I saw him I knew he would be great because he's just such a good athlete," Kloch said.

"He's a true competitor and one of our biggest point contributors. We could put him in four entirely different events at each meet and he wouldn't complain one bit. He just goes out and tries to win them all," the coach said.

According to Kloch, one reason why De Mirjian has improved during his senior year is because he's not in the gym as much as he's been in the past.

"Being a football player, De Mirjian had to lift weights prior to each of our practices in the past," Kloch said. "With football now over for him here, he doesn't have to lift as much, and that's made him a little fresher for meets and practices."

Kloch said De Mirjian has also improved in his hurdles events this season due to hours of extra practice.

Other coaches at TOHS agree, including high jump coach Imre Santha, who called De Mirjian "one of the most talented allaround athletes I've ever been around."

Bob McCarter, another T.O. track coach, said De Mirjian has all the tools it takes to be successful.

"He has what most coaches are looking for," McCarter said. "He has natural ability, size and, most importantly, he's coachable. He listens, asks questions and then acts on what was discussed. He's also a very good goal setter."

De Mirjian said one of his biggest goals for the remainder of the year is to make CIF Finals.

Joe Navarro, De Mirjian's teammate in football and track, said De Mirjian has a decent chance to achieve his goal because he works so hard.

"He doesn't say much when he's competing, but he's a very good leader," Navarro said.

"He applies the same work ethic in track that he does in football, and I believe that is going to take him far."