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Walter Thurmond of West Covina HS was one of the State's top athletes this past spring Track and Field season. As a matter of fact he "almost" had a magical senior year, but we will get to that in a minute. In the Fall he helped lead his 11-2-1 West Covina HS Football squad to its first Section Football title in 39 years in the Southern Section Div VII (well they do have a lot of divisions down here!) with a 19-8 win over rival South Hills in the Championship game. Thurmond was named the division's Offensive Player of the Year, with the 6-0 170 pound athlete adding a 69 yard touchdown run to the championship game mix. He was named to the Southern Section overall second all-star squad in the Fall pigskin sport at the receiver position. He has signed to play for the University of Oregon in that sport, and with that school a great reputation in Track and Field, it is hoped that he can squeeze competition for that group in the spring each year.

The 2005 spring in Track and Field started out super for Walter, with a 14.16 Pasadena Games 110mHH win, and 13.97w league finals effort. Along the way during his prep career he has high-jumped 6-08, and dabbled in the Pole Vault. The mark in the latter event that really caught our eye was an impressive 15-07 clearance in the post-season Jim Bush Meet at Occidental College, which we asked Coach Frank Gonzalez about below! A very talented and interesting combo of speed, strength, and agility in those three events.

Unfortunately he was the victim of a disqualification for a "less than honest" effort in the Divisional Meet High Hurdles. During his Division I efforts to catch La Sierra's Brandon Howard (14.14), Thurmond clobbered a number of the barriers in his way, with the judges deciding he should be disqualified for less than an honest effort to clear the hurdles. It is a judgment call, with a review of videos of the contest by myself and others seriously questioning the call that was made. A shame, as Walter had a no-height in the Vault during the CIF prelims in the vault event, where he had qualified also.

Note below from Coach Frank Gonzalez on Walter's 15-07 at Occidental (and continued hurdling). It was a real shame his regular prep season had to end the way that it did. (He was a qualifier for the Finals in the Junior Nationals over the 42" 110mHH barriers at 14.65, and was 8th in those finals at 14.72 against the nation's best young hurdlers at the higher high hurdles!)

note from Coach Frank Gonzalez:

Yes, did clear 15-07 at Oxy he also went 14.6 in the 42" 110HH that day it was his first race at 42" he feels like he can go low 14s or better. Walter competed at a league meet, league finals and cif prelims where he no heighted (not his best day) but since then he has had some very very good looks at 17' he can go 16 plus. As you know he is mainly a high hurdler and has a PR of 6'8" in the high jump. He fooled around with the vault last year and put a little more work into it this year and as a result has seen some good results. We are going to go to another meet where he will try to make a 16 plus jump official. He just has fun vaulting he calls it his hobby, he will be running the 110s at Jr Nationals and who knows if he can get a qualifying mark in time maybe the vault too ( I think he wants to).......Walter is a great guy and is a special athlete. If you would like any more information let me know.
Thanks,
Frank Gonzalez

University of Oregon FB Scouting report on his recruiting in that sport

THE STATS: Thurmond is a two-way performer who uses his blazing speed to dominate opposing teams. On offense Walter caught 29 passes for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. On occasion he moved to the backfield where he added another 400 yards rushing to his stats. As a defensive back Thurmond recorded 85 tackles and five interceptions. He received post season honors on both sides of the ball. On offense, Walter was tabbed All-San Gabriel Valley Region, yet the Los Angeles Times selected him as their All-Region “Back of the Year” on defense. He was also honored as a Division VII All-CIF second-team pick at wide receiver and first-team all-league.

STRENGTH: Simply one of the fastest players in the state California. Walter is explosive and played both ways to help carry his team to a Division VII CIF championship. He is a playmaker that West Covina nearly always had on the field.

Thurmond is the type of player the Ducks have been seeking for the secondary -- tall and fast. He has the frame to add size and he will need that in the Pac-10, but at this stage of his development he shows good fundamentals in his pass coverage skills and has good leaping ability too. Thurmond also appears fearless when it comes to going after the ball in the air.

Many regarded Wally as one of the fastest players in the state of California last year.

WEAKNESS: At nearly six feet tall, Thurmond needs to add more muscle to his 166 pound frame while maintaining his excellent speed for the next level. His ability to knock down big running backs will certainly be tested right off the bat in fall camp. He is somewhat similar to Ryan Gilliam but is taller. Unlike Gilliam though, Thurmond has a bigger frame to add bulk. He and Coach Jim Radcliffe (the Oregon strength and conditioning coach) most likely will become very aquatinted during the off season.

HIS OREGON VISIT: Willie Glasper hosted Thurmond on his Oregon visit. The two speedsters must have gotten along as Thurmond committed to Oregon during his official visit.

MIKE BELLOTTI: Bellotti described Thurmond as one of the fastest players in the recruiting class a player that would be in the mix as a punt returner.