Champion Runner DeSaussure Leaves Royal for Taft

Andre DeSaussure, the 1992 Southern Section 3-A Division champion in the boys’ 200 and 400 meters as a sophomore, has transferred from Royal High to Taft.

DeSaussure transferred because his mother has moved to Woodland Hills to reduce the commute to her job in downtown Los Angeles. Also, DeSaussure wanted to be closer to an uncle who had moved from Orange County to Encino, according to Royal Coach Don Reyes.

“He’s from a very tight-knit family and that had a lot to do with the transfer,” Reyes said. “Originally, he told me he wasn’t going to transfer until the summer, but I guess things proceeded a little quicker than he had expected.”

Because of that, Reyes said he no longer expects Royal to contend for the Marmonte League title this season.

“We went from being a contender to a pretender,” he said. “We’ve still got some good kids, but we’re not the same team without Andre. He could have been worth 40 points to us (in the league finals).”

DeSaussure won the 200 and 400, and placed second in the 100 in the Marmonte League championships last year. He also ran the anchor leg in the 1,600-meter relay--the Highlanders placed second--but the team was disqualified because of a rules violation with a baton exchange.

With personal bests of 10.7 seconds in the 100, 21.90 in the 200, and 48.37 in the 400, DeSaussure should contend for City Section titles in all three events.