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SANTA MONICA COLLEGE Like many people who come to America, Vanessa Sautebin arrived speaking very little English, but with dreams of making it big.
Only her ultimate dream didn’t include visions of striking it rich, but rather becoming a professional track and field star.
Recently named the Student Athlete of the Month for April by the Community College League of California Commission on Athletics, the Santa Monica College track star seems to be running in the right direction. She was also among 17 students named SMC student athlete of the year.
“It’s a big accomplishment that I reached, especially coming from another country,” Sautebin said. “I worked hard and I think hard work pays off.”
Since landing at Santa Monica College two years ago from Switzerland, Sautebin has helped add prestige to a Santa Monica College Track and Field program that has managed to take at least one athlete to the state championship in each of the past few years.
The 22-year-old sophomore signed up for the college’s track program after learning about it from her cousin at UCLA. Before making her way to SMC, Sautebin had spent a few months at UCLA polishing her English skills.
Having run to school every morning, racing against cars, it was at the age of 7 when Sautebin discovered her speedy ability.
“I told my mom I was running fast against cars and she started laughing and said, ‘why don’t you run against people,’” Sautebin said.
Sautebin is the only Corsair who will be competing in this weekend’s Southern California Community College Track and Field finals at the University of California at San Diego. She qualified for the 100-meter dash, 100-meter hurdle and 400-meter hurdle, but will only compete in the two hurdle competitions, according to coach Eric Barron.
“She would’ve had to run in three races within the span of an hour,” Barron said.
If she does well this weekend, Sautebin will have the opportunity to compete in the state championships next weekend at the College of San Mateo.
Sautebin won three events at the Western State Conference Championships — the conference in which Santa Monica College is a member — placing first in the 100-meter dash, 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles. She also claims the fastest time among Southern California community college athletes in the 100-meter hurdles and the third fastest time in the 400-meter hurdles.
She placed third in the 100-meter hurdles in last year’s state championships.
The recognition by the Community College League of California Commission on Athletics — the regulating body for community college athletics — reflects on SMC’s emphasis on ensuring student athletes are just that, a well-rounded individual who excels both in the classroom and on the field, Barron said.
“We want to ensure an athlete can excel in both and not sacrifice one area for the benefit of the other,” Barron said.
Several well-known athletes have been produced from Santa Monica College, including Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg.
But most student athletes, not only at community colleges but in four-year universities, don’t make it to the pros. If that’s the case, Sautebin has a backup plan.
As a student at Fresno State University next year on an athletic scholarship, Sautebin will also be working toward a career as a dental hygienist.
Sautebin was the second Santa Monica College student to be honored by the Commission on Athletics. In October 2006, Andy Gierman received an honorable mention for women’s soccer.
“We never take enough time to recognize the kids in the trenches,” said SMC Athletic Director Rhonda Hyatt. “Not making the professional ranks, they just don’t get the recognition.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 11, 2007. Read the original PDF.