PREP FOCUS: CALABASAS SHOWS IT CAN PLAY WITH THE BIG SCHOOLS.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

When the baseball and softball pairings for Division III were released last Monday, many who follow the sports thought Westlake High received an excellent first-round draw even though both teams opened on the road at Calabasas.

The Warriors play in the talented Marmonte League, and the Coyotes compete in the Frontier League, which is dotted with small-town schools. On Friday, size didn't matter.

Behind the pitching of junior Amy Rosson, who allowed just three hits and struck out 11, and the speed of Carly Weinstein, who had three hits and scored the game-winner, Calabasas edged Westlake 1-0 in nine innings in softball.

A few hundred feet beyond the softball field, the baseball team was dismantling Westlake 11-4.

``We know we can play with anyone,'' said Randy Curtis, who went 3 for 5 with two RBI. ``No one thought we could compete with them, but lately we've been playing well together, and no one takes credit. We're all for what's best for the team.''

Said Rosson: ``Sometimes we don't see a lot of competition in our league, but that doesn't mean we're not a good team.''

Red hot: Nick Demetrion of Monroe, who dyed his hair flaming red for the Valley Pac-8 Conference track and field championships, will compete in the City Championships on Thursday at Birmingham High.

The senior was definitely hot in the pole vault, clearing a conference-record 14 feet, 1 inch. Demetrion, who had a best of 12-3 as a junior, equaled his career best 13-6 and 14-1 on his first attempts.

Demetrion's father Bob, who is color blind, was unaware his son had dyed his hair until Demetrion's mother broke the news at the meet.

Unbeknownst to both parents, Demetrion, who also competes on the Monroe wrestling team, tattooed his nickname ``FAT'' in large capital letters across his back three months ago. The tattoo is clearly visible when Demetrion wears his track singlet.

``I always try to keep my shirt on at home, and when I am at a meet, I try to keep my back turned,'' Demetrion said. ``I don't know if they will get mad if they find out, but they might call me stupid.''

What a way to end it: Taft senior Dimitry Uchitiel won City Section championships in the 50- freestyle (22.10) and 100-yard (49.73) freestyles at last Wednesday's finals.

The effort capped a career in which Uchitiel, who will swim at Cal State Northridge next year, improved each season.

As a freshman and sophomore, he recalled, other swimmers were simply faster.

``I was in their wake,'' he said.

At the section prelims and finals, other swimmers were in Uchitiel's wake, despite a dangerous situation he encountered two days before the May 12 prelims.

Uchitiel was attacked in his car by some other high school students, causing some minor injuries.

The ordeal did not keep him from winning dual championships for the first time in his prep career. Uchitiel's first City Section title came last year in the 50 freestyle.

``I can't describe this feeling; there are no words for it,'' Uchitiel said. ``It's a dream-come-true.''

Division IV qualifiers: Tom Kubler of Viewpoint (3,200 meters), Josh Levy of Campbell Hall (high jump) and Troy Becker of Moorpark (pole vault) were victorious in the Southern Section Division IV track championships on Saturday.

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Photo

PHOTO Shortstop Erin Fitzpatrick goes for a grounder in Calabasas' 1-0 playoff victory over Westlake.

Evan Yee/Daily News