Swanson to Compete in Basketball, Track for CS Northridge

Cal State Northridge has signed its sixth basketball player to a letter of intent, but this time the track coach should get credit for an assist.

David Swanson, a 6-5 forward from Alemany High, signed with the Matadors on Wednesday after weighing CSUN’s scholarship offer for more than a week. He averaged 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game last season, but Swanson is better known as one of the state’s top high jumpers. He jumped 7-0 in the Del Rey League finals last spring.

Swanson had been struggling this season, jumping in the 6-6 range, when Don Strametz, CSUN’s track coach, identified a flaw in his technique at the Northridge invitational two weeks ago.

Two days later, using Strametz’s advice, Swanson was jumping 6-10 in practice. His scholarship to Northridge is 75% basketball and the rest track.