CHATTER: MISSION ALTERS ATHLETICS PLAN.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

Mission College is backtracking from its promise to bring back four sports in 2002. It's now only a possibility Mission will field baseball and one women's sport (not necessarily softball).

President Adriana Barrera, who took over in July, said she's open to having athletics return in 2002, but `'things have to take place.''

``It's too early to tell,'' she said, unconcerned by what her predecessors vowed.

Barrera says she would like to have athletics in 2002 and has developed a plan to do so. And while Mission College is most clearly a public institution, it appears the public won't have a place in a discussion about the plan that Barrera says will be left to her senior staff sometime this month.

Meanwhile, Barrera's primary focus is to streamline the way the college governs itself. She wants to reduce eight standing committees into four, with athletics falling under the planning and budget committees.

Barrera also believes it will take $200,000 to restart baseball (which was eliminated in 1997) and between $125,000 and $150,000 to restart a woman's sport, likely either softball or soccer.

``We have not addressed a budgeting issue,'' she said. She expects to have a better idea in December, when the fall semester ends.

Mission College hasn't contacted the County Parks and Recreation Department about reacquiring the use of El Cariso Park. The school also needs to name coaches and begin recruiting athletes if it is to play.

``Ideally, you would need to say to yourself, `If I'm to start up baseball in 2002, then I need to recruit in 2001,' '' Barrera said, `` `I need a new coach before I start recruiting.' ''

Local activist Duke Russell was saddened at Barrera's position and called for her removal.

``If Barrera doesn't want to do it, maybe she should step down and let someone else who wants to give baseball to the Latino kids (of that area),'' Russell said. ``It's baloney. They have plenty of money. (Former interim president Tom) Oliver said that to the (L.A. Community College District) board of trustees.'' . . .

Senior WR Jeff Howard, an Oak Park graduate, had five receptions and one touchdown for Massachusettes in a Sept. 30 loss to Hofstra. . . .

Chaminade basketball player Scott Borchart has committed to Santa Clara. . . .

Loyola Marymount senior outside hitter Sarah McFarland was named West Coast Conference volleyball player of the month after leading the nation with 397 kills in September. . . .

Chatsworth soccer player Leila Pate took an official visit to Washington State. . . .

Jessica Cosby, a UCLA freshman and former Cleveland of Reseda shot putter, will compete in the World Junior Track Championships in Santiago, Chile, next week. Cosby won the City shotput title four times and holds the area record. . . .

Louisville High seeks softball, swimming and water polo coaches. Fax resumes to 818-346-9483. Information: 818-346-2149. . . .

Granada Hills seeks a junior varsity baseball coach. Information: Steve Thompson, [phone], ext. 385.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

JEROME WILLIAMS 

Kennedy football, Senior

The surprising Cougars have beaten local rivals Taft and Granada Hills in successive weeks, perhaps setting the stage for their first trip to the City Section final since 1972. If Kennedy gets there, the quick, elusive Williams will be a big reason. He shredded Granada Hills Friday, rushing for 180 yards on 30 carries, including a 13-yard run that put Kennedy ahead by 10 in its 40-28 victory. This season, Williams has 652 yards and 10 touchdowns on 89 carries.

MARIA ESPINOZA

and NISHI PANCHAL

Simi Valley tennis

In their first year together, the No. 1 doubles team is at the heart of Simi Valley's surprisingly strong season. The pair is 38-1 overall and completed the first half of Marmonte League play 18-0.

Last week, Espinoza and Panchal won all nine of their sets, including a6-3 victory over Westlake's Lauren Baer and Lindsay Weiss, who were previosly undefeated in league and were Marmonte finalists last year. A come-from-behind win in their final set against Channel Islands sealed a 10-8 nonleague victory for the Pioneers (10-3, 5-1). Against Newbury Park, Espinoza and Panchal lost just three games.

HEAD TO HEAD

CHRIS MORGAN 

Taft wide receiver

JOEY RODRIGUEZ

Granada Hills wide receiver

Morgan sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, what with Ricky Clausen, Steve Smith and Lee Marks grabbing headlines. Quietly, Morgan has become a force for the Toreadors, who improved to 4-1 Friday with a 31-14 victory over San Fernando. Morgan had eight catches for 112 yards, including a 51-yard bomb from Clausen to put the game out of reach. On the year, Morgan has 28 catches for 418 yards and five touchdowns, offering a tremendous offset to Taft's other go-to players.

Rodriguez is the Highlanders' top receiver, having caught 21 passes for 595 yards and nine touchdowns. Both players will be key figures and their ability to get into the end zone will be the difference, especially in Morgan's case. With Smith and Marks likely drawing most of the defensive attention, Morgan will get the opportunity to make plays.

Friday, 7 p.m., at Taft High.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, 4 boxes

Photo: (1) JEROME WILLIAMS

Kennedy football, Senior

(2) MARIA ESPINOZA and NISHI PANCHAL

Simi Valley tennis

(3) CHRIS MORGAN

Taft wide receiver

(4) JOEY RODRIGUEZ

Granada Hills wide receiver

(5) Loyola Marymount's Sarah McFarland earned West Coast Conference player of the month honors for September.

Loyola Marymount University 

Box: (1) STATILICIOUS

(2) ATHLETES OF THE WEEK (see text)

(3) HEAD 2 HEAD (see text)

(4) ON DECK: Highlights of the coming week

(5) AREA NCAA FOOTBALL PLAYERS