Stanford man
Chris Owusu earns scholarship following brilliant junior campaign
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers WORK HARD, PLAY HARD- Oaks Christian's Chris Owusu was a standout in football, basketball and track during his junior year. He's parlayed that success into a scholarship to Stanford University.

It's been a rewarding year for Oaks Christian's Chris Owusu.

Be it in the classroom or the athletic arena, the 17-year-old soontobe senior has found success every step of the way during his time at OCHS.

A near straight-A student, Owusu, who recently made a verbal commitment to play football at Stanford University in the fall of 2008, served as a starting wide receiver on the Lions state-title winning team. He caught 33 passes and scored nine touchdowns during Oaks Christian's 15-0 campaign.

"We were just winners," Owusu said. "It was a great, great experience, not only to be around those guys but to learn from them as well."

OCHS head coach Bill Redell said Owusu has made tremendous strides on the gridiron since his sophomore season.

"He's come a long way in a short period of time," Redell said. "At the beginning of last year I considered him a third or fourth receiver. But he started doing everything better, to a point now where he's faster, stronger and can concentrate on the ball much better."

Owusu said the highlight of the season was his team's dominating 5913 victory over longtime Ventura County powerhouse St. Bonaventure.

"Many people didn't think we could compete with a big program like St. Bonaventure," he said. "The reason it's my favorite (memory) is because we went out there with the Eye of the Tiger and had a goal to be the best."

If the victory over St. Bonaventure was the high point of the year, Owusu said the CIF Division III state title game at Home Depot Center was an emotional rollercoaster.

After entering the championship as heavy favorites against Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa, Oaks Christian squeaked out a thrilling 27-20 overtime victory to claim the state crown.

Owusu didn't have a reception in the game, nor did he register a tackle while playing defensive back.

"We didn't go out there with enough emotion," Owusu said.

"We thought Cardinal Newman was just another team we were going to beat on, and when the game started we drove right down the field and had all the momentum we thought we needed. After that, though, they showed they could compete with us."

In his two years on the varsity squad, Owusu had never played in a tightly contested football game. Feeling like they were destined to win put the Lions in a vulnerable position against Cardinal Newman, he said.

"Not only did we have to show what we were made of in the last couple of drives, but we had to prove to other people that we could compete in a close game," he said. "As tough as the game ended up being, it really was a great way to cap a 15-0 season."

Shortly after lifting the CIF state football plaque, Owusu quickly transitioned to the basketball court, where the Lions' hoops season was already underway.

Playing guard, Owusu averaged 8.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. OCHS finished 15-13 overall and was fourth in the TriValley League.

The Lions won their first playoff game but were unceremoniously bounced from the postseason by nationally ranked Campbell Hall in Round 2.

"Going from football to basketball, you kind of have that winning mentality," Owusu said. "I was used to winning every game, but basketball wasn't like that.

"We had a great team, and Coach (Tom) Roanhaus taught us very well. But I don't think we had the season we wanted, which is why we will come back with more motivation next year."

His legs weary from the fall and winter seasons, Owusu forged ahead into spring as a member of the Lions boys' track team. He competed in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races, as well as the 4x100 and 4x400 relay events.

At the Ventura County Championships, Owusu edged out Rio Mesa High's Josh Harrison in the boys' 100. At that point of the season, Owusu's time of 10.65 seconds ranked third in the state.

Several weeks later, Owusu qualified for the CIF State Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, where he ran in the 200.

"Going to state was quite an experience," he said. "I'd never been that far, and getting to compete against the best in California was definitely a great experience."

When track season ended, Owusu tackled his next big athletic endeavor.

Although it can be excruciating for some, picking the right college was a pretty easy task for the 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver.

"I went to Stanford for Junior Day and just fell in love with the coaches," he said. "Coach (Jim) Harbaugh just has that energy. You can tell he wants to coach and that he's a winner and a competitor. That's what I've been used to all my life."

Owusu plans to study medicine at Stanford.

"He's a very good student," Redell said. "They certainly won't have to worry about him academically."

Before college, though, there are many items on Owusu's to-do list for his senior season at OCHS.

Owusu, whose younger brother Brian also plays football and basketball for the Lions, said he'd like to see the basketball team go deep into the playoffs in 2008. He'd also like to make another run at a state track championship.

And, of course, there's football season, where the Lions will be looking to continue their 46game winning streak.

"The seniors must be leaders," he said. "It's a new team, basically. We're going to have to play harder and compete harder than ever before and show that we're not going to back down to anyone, just like last year."