FIT HIM FOR A TRIPLE CROWN?

The Superman “S” logo that George Farmer wears on his chest as part of his team’s standard-issue track uniform only slightly embellishes his athletic feats.

He is citius, altius, fortius -- faster, higher, stronger -- three times over.

As a football wide receiver, the Gardena Serra junior speeds past defensive backs as if they are mere traffic cones. As a basketball swingman, he soars so high for dunks that he almost needs extra oxygen. And as a sprinter, he generates such power out of the starting blocks that many opponents appear stuck in slow motion.

“He’s an incredible piece of machinery,” Cavaliers track Coach David Washington said.

This weekend, at the state track meet at Clovis Buchanan High, Farmer will try to do something that might truly seem otherworldly: win a state title in a third sport in the same school year.

Of the millions of California high school athletes who have competed going back before the days when hand-grenade tosses were substituted for javelin throws during World War I -- true story, according to the California Interscholastic Federation -- none has achieved the kind of triple crown that has Farmer’s coaches buzzing in anticipation.

“That’s just unheard of,” said his basketball coach, Dwan Hurt.

“Amazing,” said Washington.

“The kid’s a freak of nature,” said his football coach, Scott Altenberg.

Nature has certainly played a part in the exploits of the 6-foot-2, 205-pound standout. His father was also a three-sport star who went on to play wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. His mother ran the 100-meter dash in 11.2 seconds in her prime.

Neither pretends to be quite the athlete their son is.

“I wish I could say I was as good as he is,” George Farmer III said. “I mean, I was no slouch, but I wasn’t quite as good as George.”

The younger Farmer has three chances to complete the state title trifecta during the track events Friday and Saturday. He could win a championship in the 100 or the 200, or help Serra capture the team title, but he won’t be favored in either of his individual events after finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, at the Southern Section Masters Meet.

The Cavaliers are also handicapped in their bid to win the team title because they were disqualified from the 4x100 relay -- an event in which they had posted the fastest time in the nation this year -- after committing a zone violation during a preliminary meet.

“We just have to make up those points elsewhere,” Farmer said.

Farmer has a tendency to help his teams overcome long odds. He caught five passes for 136 yards as Serra upset heavily favored Westlake Village Oaks Christian in the Northwest Division football title game that preceded the Cavaliers’ state championship Division III bowl victory over Kentfield Marin Catholic.

Though he could have started for most basketball powers in Southern California, Farmer willingly came off the bench to help Serra cap a 35-2 season with an overtime triumph over Oakland Bishop O’Dowd in the Division III state title game. With that victory, Serra became the first California school to win state titles in football and basketball since the bowl games started five years ago.

Farmer’s coaches marvel at his eagerness to accept less-than-starring roles, putting the name on the front of his jersey ahead of the one on the back. Altenberg said there were times when Farmer didn’t care that he made significantly fewer catches than heralded teammate Robert Woods.

“I mean, you’re talking about the No. 1 receiver in the country coming out of a game with two catches, but Woody had like seven,” Altenberg said, “and both of them are jumping around after the game, excited as can be.”

In an era of specialization, when many high school athletes are prodded and cajoled by coaches who insist they stick to one sport -- theirs -- Farmer has the approval of three men who are thrilled to share his talent.

“We’re just happy and blessed to have such a tremendous athlete,” Hurt said.

Woods said Farmer’s instincts and drive would make him a star in any sport.

“You could make him play golf or something and he would be good at it,” Woods said. “His heart carries him a long way.”

Farmer has long been a star in the making. His father first put a football in his hand when he was 6, and it wasn’t long before the boy was playing football and basketball at Gardena’s Rowley Park.

Farmer’s love for each sport was unrivaled, until Washington spotted him on the football field as a freshman and persuaded him to start running track. Though he professes that football is his best sport, Farmer has no intention of giving up the other two.

“I love all three,” he said. “I just love competing.”

His success has been accompanied by an affinity for jewelry. He has four section and state championship rings, with another potentially a day away.

Regardless of whether he pulls off the unprecedented triple play, Farmer can always adopt the mantra of Chicago Cubs fans.

There’s always next year.

“I’m going to try to do it again,” he said.

ben.bolch@latimes.com