By Christopher Hunt
Former Chaminade steeplechase state champ Kevin McDermott suffered a severe injury in a pool accident in the Hamptons in Long Island two weeks ago. He is currently at Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains.
McDermott, a recent Duke grad, who won the ACC championship in the steeplechase this spring, hit is head the bottom of the shallow end of a pool at a rental home that his brother, Sean, rented with friends for the summer. He was discovered by a woman in the house who came out for towels. He was floating at the top of the water struggling to turn his head for air. After friends called the paramedics, he was air-lifted to Stony Brook Hospital. McDermott shattered his C5 vertebrate.
McDermott has undergone two surgeries to stabilize his head and neck according to Chaminade coach Pat Slevin. He since moved to Burke Rehabilitation Center where he is undergoing physical and occupational therapy.
“There has been a tremendous out-pouring of love, concern and prayers for Kevin as he faces this very tough and long road back to recovery from this horrific accident,” Slevin said through an email. “Suffice it to say that he is doing as well as we can expect, at this time, and he’s now in a facility that will continue his rehabilitation.”
- Kevin McDermott graduated from Chaminade in 2005 when he won the NYS 3,000-meter steeplechase championship.
- 2nd at USA Junior Nationals in 2005
- Represented USA at the Junior Pan Am Games in Toronto, Canada
- Older brother Sean also ran track at Duke and younger brother Ryan currently competes for Duke.
- Ryan won the 2007 Junior National champions in the 3,000 steeplechase and represent the U.S. at the Pan Am Games.