A dedicated ESPNHS team managed the Gatorade State Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year selection process, resulting in winners based on the program's three pillars: athletic production and impact in the 2012 season, high academic achievement and exemplary personal character.

For his 50 fellow Gatorade State Boys Track & Field Athletes of the Year winners, click here.

THE WINNER: Darren Fahy

THE BASICS

School: La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.)

Grade: Senior

Event(s): Distance

Height: 5-foot-11

THE PILLARS

Athletic achievement: Fahy won the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:08.78 and the 3,200-meter run in 9:03.29 at the California Interscholastic Federation this spring, leading the Mavericks to third place as a team. The state’s 2011-12 Gatorade Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, he clocked an 8:54.51 in the 3,200 at the Arcadia Invitational and a 4:08.15 in the 1,600 at the ASICS Mt. Carmel Invitational, which ranked as the nation’s No. 6 and No. 12 performances, respectively, among prep competitors in 2012 at the time of his selection. Fahy also recorded the country’s fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase time of 9:03.15 at the UCSD Triton Invitational, clocking the No. 10 time in prep history.

Academic excellence: Also a cross country standout, Fahy has maintained a 3.74 GPA in the classroom and represents one of the state’s top academic candidates in meeting the Gatorade Award’s broad criteria.

Exemplary character: A devoted member of his church community and a summer youth track coach, he has volunteered locally making skateboards for underprivileged children.

THE PRAISE

“He was just fantastic,” said La Costa Canyon distance coach Bill Vice. “It was a dream season for him. He was disappointed in his performance last year, which we thought was a great season. We finished third in the meet as a team, due largely to Darren’s two wins. That’s the highest place we’ve had. We’re sorry to see him go. I’ve coached him for four years, and he’s one of the most humble kids you’ll ever meet. He’s a great role model for the other kids.”

THE FUTURE: Fahy has signed a National Letter of Intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at Georgetown University this fall.