How Desmond Chapa went from never running to track scholarship, leading West Ottawa relays

The West Ottawa boys track team took a huge step last year, getting a handful of sprinters and relays to the state meet.

The Panthers were hoping for some young speed to join the mix, but instead got a senior who has changed everything.

Desmond Chapa never ran track but after he blistered a 4.5 second 40 yard dash at a football camp, the track athletes convinced him to join.

Heading into his first ever conference meet, he has broken the school record in the 200 meters and been part of two school record relays.

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Not bad for an outdoor track career that has seen just six meets.

"I was at a football combine and ran a 4.5. I play baseball, too, and I tried indoor to see how it did and I decided to do both," Chapa said. "This is all kind of new to me because this is my first year. A year ago, I wasn't expecting to be here. But the training has shown results."

In fact, it has shown so much that Chapa has committed to run track and field at Grand Valley State University next year.

"It is definitely crazy because I have only been doing track for seven months. I am definitely blessed," he said.

Chapa broke the school record with a run of 21.59, which is the top time in the state in Division 1 as the Panthers head into Friday's OK Red Conference championship meet at Jenison.

At Saturday's annual Von Ins Relays, Chapa teamed with Andrew Spilotro, Ruben Esparza and DeMarcus Chapa to win the 4x100 in 41.97, the top time in the state.

"It has been pretty great," Spilotro said. "I feel like we are in a better mindset this year. We wanted to nail that down so that come June 1, we are going to run our best. It has been great. I am glad he decided to run. He has pushed us to a new level."

In the 4x200, it was Chapa, Spilotro, Esparza and Charlie Sanders that also is tops in Division 1 at 1:27.26, also breaking the school record.

"It starts with how we enter our practices every day. The younger kids are asking questions. It has made us more focused to show them. We knew what we could do and that we had the people - we just went out and did it," Esparza said. "We know what we are capable of."

Sanders is a the lone sophomore on the upperclass-heavy 4x200.

"This is the most special group I have ever been a part of it. Being the youngest in the group, I have people to look up to," Sanders said. "I saw them break the school records last year and I knew I wanted to be a part of it one day."

Now, the Panthers are looking to be at their best on the final day of the season, at the state finals.

"I think we are capable of winning our relays," Spilotro said.

Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as  Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSport s.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: How Desmond Chapa went from never running to track scholarship, leading West Ottawa relays