San Gabriel Valley Sports

PREPS

The Sierra League football championship will be at stake Friday when Diamond Bar plays host to West Covina.

Diamond Bar (7-1-1, 3-1 in league) is coming off a 21-0 victory over Rowland. The Brahmas are led by quarterback Dan Ruzicka and running backs Thomas Simmons and Armon Hatcher.

West Covina (7-1-1, 3-0-1) beat Ayala, 35-10, last week. Quarterback Miguel Meriwether is a passing and rushing threat and Vincent Boone is one of the most talented receivers and defensive backs in the area.

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The Webb and Pasadena Poly football teams will open play in the Eight-Man Large Division playoffs Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Webb travels to Hesperia Christian. Pasadena Poly plays host to Capistrano Valley Christian.

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Water polo, girls’ volleyball and girls’ tennis playoffs began this week for Southern Section schools.

South Pasadena’s water polo team, under Coach Jerry Wulf, is the top-seeded team in Division III and will play host to Gahr today.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The Citrus football team travels to Victor Valley Saturday for a Foothill Conference game.

Citrus (6-2, 4-1 in conference) is coming off a 28-23 victory over Antelope Valley. Aaron Wilson returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Curtis Robinson and running back Nick Paoletto each rushed for a touchdown and hooked up on a 60-yard touchdown pass play.

Pasadena City College (2-6), which had a bye last week, resumes its Mission Conference schedule Saturday at home against Long Beach.

Mt. San Antonio College (6-2) plays a Mission Conference game Saturday at Cerritos.

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The Mt. SAC men’s and women’s basketball programs will play host to tournaments that run tonight through Saturday.

The Mountie women play Rancho Santiago tonight at 6. Los Angeles Valley plays Glendale at 8.

Mt. SAC’s men play Citrus Saturday night at 8 after Valley plays Fullerton at 6.

COLLEGES

La Verne’s football team can wrap up sole possession of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship Saturday if the Leopards defeat Whittier at home.

La Verne (6-2, 5-0 in the SCIAC) clinched a share of the title last week with a 36-6 victory over two-time defending champion Redlands. La Verne running back Danny Pasquil leads the SCIAC in rushing with 128 yards a game. Bill Battin has caught 22 passes for 496 yards and eight touchdowns.

Claremont (1-5-1, 1-4) travels to Cal Lutheran on Saturday after defeating Pomona-Pitzer, 30-26. The victory was the Stags’ first since Nov. 3, 1990, a span of 25 games. Bob Berger gained 172 yards in 28 carries and scored a touchdown, and John Shipp completed eight of 19 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns to lead Claremont.

Pomona-Pitzer concluded its season at 1-7, 0-6 in the SCIAC with the loss. Tony Fadulu gained 111 yards against Claremont to finish with 955 yards and nine touchdowns. Fadulu finished his career with a school-record 2,141 yards, eclipsing the mark of 2,125 set by George Bushala.

Azusa Pacific (2-6), which had a bye last week, concludes its schedule Saturday at home against Menlo.

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Pomona-Pitzer, La Verne and Claremont will be among the SCIAC teams that will compete in the NCAA Division III cross-country regionals Saturday in Chino. The top three men’s and women’s teams and top three individuals will advance to the NCAA Division III championships Nov. 20 at Grinnell College (Iowa).

The Azusa Pacific men’s cross-country team will compete in the National Assn. Intercollegiate Athletics national championships Nov. 20 at Kenosha, Wis.

Tony Bergman, John Gachau and Anthony Fisher were the top three finishers at last weekend’s NAIA District 3 meet in La Mirada, helping Azusa set a team record with 17 points.

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Claremont played host to Redlands and Pomona-Pitzer traveled to UC San Diego for first-round matches Wednesday night in the NCAA Division III women’s volleyball tournament. Results were not available at press time.

The Claremont men’s soccer team was eliminated from the Division III playoffs last weekend with a 4-1 first-round loss against Colorado College.

Claremont forward Pat Gorgue, midfielders Ryan St. George and Corwin Senko, defender Peter Malishka and goalkeeper Tyler Snow were named All-SCIAC.

Pomona-Pitzer forward Tony Mercado and defender Marc Garcia also were selected all-conference.

The Azusa Pacific women’s soccer team lost to Westmont, 5-0, in the NAIA District III finals.

Azusa Pacific finished 10-10-3.

Westmont advanced to the NAIA West Regional at Willamette University (Ore.) this weekend.

PREP ATHLETE OF WEEK

Brett Pierce, South Hills--Pierce passed for two touchdowns and set up two others by intercepting a pass and recovering a fumble during South Hills’ 41-13 victory over San Dimas.

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Bob Berger, Claremont--Berger, a running back, gained 172 yards in 28 carries and scored a touchdown as the Stags beat Pomona-Pitzer, 30-26, for their first victory since Nov. 3, 1990.

MISCELLANY

The city of Alhambra is seeking volunteers to coach and assist in other areas of its youth sports programs. The programs are conducted Monday through Friday. (818) 570-5081. . . . The San Gabriel Valley Kids Wrestling Club is having sign-ups each Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the small gym at Arroyo High in El Monte. The program, open to boys and girls ages 5-14, teaches fundamentals. (818) 338-6864.

The Glendora Youth Volleyball Club is registering boys and girls ages 7-17 for a program that begins Jan. 8. (818) 969-1156. . . . The San Gabriel Valley Volleyball Club will conduct tryouts for its 18-and-under program Nov. 21 at Cantwell Sacred Heart High in Montebello. The club competes in the USVBA Junior Olympic program. (213) 254-8476.

The city of La Puente is sponsoring youth basketball programs for boys and girls ages 6 to 12. The programs will stress fundamentals and sportsmanship. (818) 855-1563. . . . A softball league for men 55 and older is being organized in the West San Gabriel Valley. (818) 573-0129.

CALENDAR

The city of Azusa will play host to the annual Elks Lodge Hoopshoot skills contest for boys and girls ages 8-13 Friday at Memorial Park. (818) 334-2611, Ext. 220.

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The 10th annual Louis Corp tennis tournament, which benefits the Sierra Madre Police Department, will be staged Friday.

Tournament entry of $25 includes lunch. (818) 355-7466.

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The Monrovia, Arcadia and Duarte Town Council is sponsoring a softball game between the Temple City sheriff’s station and the community Saturday at 11 a.m. at Annunciation Field in Arcadia.

For information about the game or joining the community team: (818) 358-8444.

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The city of South El Monte will stage a 16-team, C/D Division double-elimination softball tournament this Saturday and Sunday.

The entry is $160 per team. (818) 579-2043.