Coast runners in control at OEC preview

The Orange Coast College men’s and women’s cross country teams turned

in dominating performances Friday to capture both team and individual

championships in the Orange Empire Conference preview meet at Laguna

Niguel Regional Park.

The Orange Coast men posted the first four finishers en route to

17 points, 48 points clear of runner-up Riverside. Art Diaz led the

way for the Bucs with a time of 19:41, followed by David Ojeda at

19:50. Humberto Rojas crossed the line at 20:02 with Francisco Guerra

close behind at 20:15.

Vidal Barragan closed out the scoring for the Pirates, finishing

seventh overall with a time of 20:27. Irwin Salas placed eighth

overall in 20:33.

The women’s race had a finishing order similar to races a year ago

with the Pirates taking the top two slots. Ava Jones, the Bucs No. 1

runner, ran away at the end to finish in 18:23. Teammate Sandra

Montoya took runner-up honors with a time of 18:48 to pave the way

for the team’s 27 points, 14 ahead of Riverside.

Jessica Huerta was third across for Coast, taking sixth overall in

19:44. Emille Vo was two spots back of her at 19:53, while Ludi

Valdez capped the scoring in 10th, crossing in 20:13. Annie Garton (20:20), Jane Alder (20:26) and Jennifer Sliwa (20:36) also finished

among the top 15 overall for the Pirates.

Orange Coast is back in action Sept. 20 at Woodland Hills in the

Los Angeles Invitational hosted by L.A. Pierce College.

Jennings leads Sailors

* VOLLEYBALL: The Newport Harbor High girls volleyball team

defeated host Huntington Beach, 25-21, 24-26, 25-18, 28-26 in a

nonleague season opener Friday for the Sailors. The Oilers fell to

0-2.

Senior Alyson Jennings led Newport with 15 kills, 23 assists, five

service aces and five digs, while senior Lauren Miller had 14 kills

and four blocks. Kiley Hall (nine kills, two aces), Kellie King (32

assists, three aces) and Taryn Tarnutzer (six kills) contributed to

the win.

Newport staved off game point in the fourth game and Alexis Kerns

served four straight points to rally the Tars and send it into

overtime.

Pirates sweep Ventura

* VOLLEYBALL: The Orange Coast College women’s volleyball team won

its season opener with a 30-18, 30-14, 34-32 triumph over

nonconference visitor Ventura Friday.

Marti Merriott and Jenae Woodward led the Pirates with nine kills

each, while Merriott added nine digs and three blocks. Donka Drozd

also had nine digs and Melissa Sherman had eight. Brenda Bailey added

seven kills, while Amber McCarthy amassed 34 assists and provided

three service aces.

UCI edged, 1-0

* SOCCER: The UC Irvine women’s soccer team lost, 1-0, to

nonconference foe Montana, which scored in the 64th minute in

Missoula Friday.

Jamie Rizzuot scored for the Grizzlies (1-3-1). UCI (3-2-1) had

eight shots to Montana’s 11. UCI goalie Marissa Welliver recorded

four saves for the Anteaters.

Lions nipped, 3-2

* SOCCER: The Vanguard University men’s soccer team battled

through a game that included five yellow cards and lost to

nonconference host Chapman, 3-2, Friday.

Brock Schermerhorn scored in the 64th minute to help give Chapman

(3-2) the victory. The Panthers also scored with two seconds left in

the first half. Matt Hess and David McAuley scored for the Lions

(5-2).

Loyola tops ‘Eaters

* SOCCER: Brad Evans scored from 20 yards out in the 38th minute

for the host UC Irvine men’s soccer team, but the Anteaters were

blanked the rest of the way Friday night as Loyola Marymount handed

them a 4-1 nonconference setback with four second-half goals.

Sage Hill falls

* TENNIS: The Sage Hill School girls tennis team lost its first

match of the season, a 16-2 nonleague setback at Laguna Beach Friday.

Sage Hill (1-1) received victories from Sarah Geocaris in singles

and Rachel Hyler and Carissa Cummings in doubles. Laguna Beach

improved to 2-0.

Extreme extravaganza

* EXHIBITION: The Vans Extreme Sports Show, part of the Festival

of Children, will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and noon to 4

p.m. Sunday in the Nordstrom parking lot at South Coast Plaza.

The extreme sports event will include soccer clinics, skate and

BMX demonstrations and interactive games, with live music in the

background. In addition, pro skaters, including Salmon Agah, will be

in appearance and will sign autographs.

More than 20 other events will also be taking place as part of the

Festival of Children, which is in its second year and is a month-long

series of events, exhibits, celebrity appearances and entertainment

geared toward children and families.

Officials sought for NJB

* BASKETBALL: The National Junior Basketball league is seeking

officials for the 2003-04 season.

Candidates must be at least 16 years old. Entry-level, as well as

experienced officials, are encouraged to sign up.

Officials would be calling games in their local area. NJB provides

training with both “advanced” and “local” clinics conducted by

college officials and evaluators.

Game fees vary according to experience and ability, but start at

$16 and go up to $28. Games are played on Sundays with Saturday

leagues available in some cities and for all tournaments.