CHATTER: SIMI VALLEY'S RUSSELL PICKS UCLA.Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer Public school wins out over private - at least in the case of Royal of Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. volleyball player David Russell David Russell may refer to:
Russell, a 6-foot-6 middle blocker, almost could write his ticket to any school he wanted - provided financial considerations could be met. He narrowed his choices to UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX , Stanford, USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. and Long Beach State, then chose between UCLA and Stanford. He said he took a serious look at Stanford, knowing volleyball doesn't last forever and recognizing the value of a Stanford degree. But the numbers didn't add up. NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association rules allow for just 4 1/2 scholarships for volleyball, meaning many teams divide scholarship among more than one player. Stanford offered $9,000 a year for Russell, about one quarter of one scholarship. That left Russell and his family needing to come up with $24,000 per year. Too rich. Too bad. UCLA is much less expensive, has a location Russell desired and offers a strong engineering program. Plus, there's coach Al Scates Al Scates (born 9 June 1939) is an American former volleyball player and is the current volleyball coach of the UCLA Bruins of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Scates, in his 44th year as the coach of the Bruins, is the winningest volleyball coach in the history of the NCAA, and his 18 national championships. End of search. . . . Bad news for Hart High girls' soccer fans: Former head coach Oliver Germond isn't returning. Germond, now an assistant at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. , was offered his old job back, plus a full-time teaching position. He turned it down, he said, because he has done almost everything possible at Hart, including winning the Foothill League, reaching the Southern Section final and winning a section title. He has his sights set on becoming a college coach. . . . Some soccer news: Hart High graduate Erin Misaki was named West Coast Conference co-player of the year. Misaki plays for Portland. Former Newbury Park standout Casey Schmidt, now at Boston College Boston College, main campus at Chestnut Hill, Mass.; coeducational; Jesuit; est. and opened 1863. Actually a university, the school's Chestnut Hill campus comprises colleges of arts and sciences and business administration, the graduate school, and schools of nursing , was named Big East Conference offensive player of the year. . . . UCLA midifelder/defender Alex Yi Alexander "Alex" Yi (Korean name Yi Hyun) (born February 27, 1982 in Alexandria, Virginia) is an American soccer defender, who currently plays for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. was named the Pac-10 freshman of the year. His teammates, defender Ryan Lee, forward McKinley Tennyson and midfielder Shaun Tsakiris made the first team. Yi and goalie DJ Countess made the second team. Royal of Simi Valley graduate Caleb Westbay made honorable mention, as did defender Nelson Akwari Nelson Ndukwe Akwari (born February 4, 1982 in Houston, Texas) is a Nigerian American soccer defender, who currently plays for Charlotte Eagles of the USL Second Division. , midfielder Adolfo Gregorio Adolfo Gregorio (born September 1 1982 in Turlock, California, USA) is an American soccer midfielder, who played for Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. Gregorio was part of the original 1999 class at the Bradenton Academy, where as part of the Under-17 United States and defender Scot Thompson For the baseball player, see . Scot Thompson (born February 11, 1981 in New York, New York) is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Timbers of the USL First Division. . . . . Chaminade commitments: Fencer Derek Snyder is heading to Stanford. Soccer player Katie Thomas is going to Cornell. . . . UCLA gymnastics: The Bruins have landed 2000 Canadian Olympian Michelle Conway. Conway was 13th on the floor at Sydney. Additionally, Level 10 standout Christie Tedmon also committed. . . . USC women's basketball Women's basketball is one of the few games which developed in tandem with men's. It became popular, spreading from the east coast of the United States to the west coast, in large part via women's colleges. : Murrieta Valley High forward Rachel Woodward and Westchester center Kimberly Gipson signed letters of intent. The 6-1 Woodward is among several publications' top 50 players. The 6-5 Gipson was ranked as high as 39th by the All-Star Girl's Report. Both average more than 20 points a game. . . . UCLA women's basketball: The Bruins signed two post players, 6-4 Krystle Johnson from Hoover (Ala.) and 6-7 Paula Pickett from Coushatta, La. . . . Long Beach State baseball: Alemany infielder Tim Cantu and Simi Valley pitcher Jered Weaver Jered David Weaver (born October 4, 1982 in Northridge, California), is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Jered attended college at Long Beach State University where he was the 2004 College Baseball's Golden Spikes Award winner. signed letters of intent. . . . The West Valley Jewish Community Center has openings for its women's over-50 basketball league Noun 1. basketball league - a league of basketball teams basketball team, five - a team that plays basketball league, conference - an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members . Information: Eli Sherman, (818) 464-3291, or Patricia Shabel, (818) 754-0006. ATHLETES OF THE WEEK GARY SONKUR Montclair Prep Football, Senior He ran the ball just seven times Friday night in a 69-0 victory over Bell-Jeff of Burbank in a Southern Section Division XII playoff opener. However, he made the most of his carries, running wild for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Sonkur had 181 yards at halftime, which included touchdown runs of 57 and 66 yards. On defense, he sacked Bell-Jeff's Rene Garcia three times. Sonkur added to his total in the second half, but the Mounties didn't overdo it with the game in control. He has 2,288 yards and 30 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per carry. JENNIFER RYAN La Reina volleyball, Senior The Regents finally won their Southern Section championship after three years of disappointment, and Ryan played a huge role in the title run. The middle blocker, who has committed to Santa Clara, had 30 kills, 27 digs and five blocks in the Division IV-AA championship match against Marymount. She also served the final eight points of the fifth game. Ryan totaled 26 kills, 17 digs and five blocks in Tuesday's semifinal victory over Laguna Beach. The Regents open the Division IV state playoffs today with a home match against Horizon of San Diego. UP AND COMER ALAN KARATEPIAN Chatsworth High The sophomore took over at QB when the starter on Chatsworth's JV team was hurt in the second game and threw for four touchdowns that day. Ultimately, Karatepian did it all this season. He ran for a few scores, averaged 3-4 sacks at linebacker, kicked and played well on special teams. Nominate outstanding junior varsity and middle school athletes by calling (818) 713-3611. HEAD TO HEAD JASON Jason, in Greek mythology Jason, in Greek mythology, son of Aeson. When Pelias usurped the throne of Iolcus and killed (or imprisoned) Aeson and most of his descendants, Jason was smuggled off to the centaur Chiron, who reared him secretly on Mt. Pelion. HOGAN Crescenta Valley, WR/DB KYLE MATTER Hart, QUARTERBACK Hogan is the Falcons' best player, a combination running back/defensive back who can hurt opponents in a number of ways. Hogan has scored touchdowns this year on runs, receptions and punt and kickoff returns. His 22 TDs are the best in the area. He had 107 yards rushing in the Falcons' 23-0 victory over Leuzinger in the first round of the Southern Section Division III playoffs. However, his biggest contribution could come at safety, where his speed and athletic ability could give Matter and Hart's potent passing offense trouble. Matter, the Stanford-bound quarterback, had a somewhat slow start this season but is on a roll after throwing for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-3 rout over Chaminade in the first round. Matter has 2,959 yards passing and 31 touchdowns. Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Glendale High. CAPTION(S): 5 photos, 5 boxes Photo: (1) GARY SONKUR Montclair Prep Football, Senior (2) JENNIFER RYAN La Reina volleyball, Senior (3) ALAN KARATEPIAN Chatsworth High (4) JASON HOGAN Crescenta Valley, WR/DB (5) KYLE MATTER Hart, QUARTERBACK Box: (1) STATILICIOUS (2) ATHLETES OF THE WEEK (see text) (3) UP AND COMER (see text) (4) HEAD 2 HEAD (see text) (5) ON DECK: Highlights of the coming week |
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