Almost a month into the season, De Anza track and field thrower Derek White is off to a good start, placing first in the discus and shot put events at the 2010 Run for Lupus All-Comers Meet at San Joaquin Delta College on Feb. 20.

This is White’s first year at De Anza College, having recently graduated from Oak Grove High School in San Jose. In high school, White was the senior class president, an editor for the school newspaper, a captain for the track and field team, the saxophone section leader for the school band and prom king.

White started throwing for track and field in the eighth grade. After a break from the sport his freshman year of high school, White returned his sophomore year and placed 14th in the state in discus. White continued to improve in the sport, and in his senior year he was the CCS Champion in the discus and placed 12th in the state.

After meeting and training with De Anza’s returning athletes last summer, White was excited to be part of the team.

“I knew right away that the team was full of a bunch of comedians, who all just happened to be good at track. The coaches were pretty cool too, and demonstrated their vast knowledge of the sport,” White said.

White atrributes eating Its-Its and his relationships with his girlfriend, friends, coaches past and present, and family as contributing factors to his success.

“My grandparents have been a main contributor as well, and my grandfather, Hugh Mumby, was actually the one who got me into the sport in the first place. He was a thrower for Cal, and took many titles in both the javelin and discus throw. I am very grateful to have such supportive people in my life, and could have not have gone this far in the sport without them.”

White hopes to transfer to the University of Oregon where he plans on studying kinesiology to become a physical therapist.