August 17, 2007

Local roundup

By The Record

ESPN, Big West announce field for Anaheim Classic

ESPN Regional Television, Inc., and the Big West Conference on Thursday announced that the first Anaheim Classic, an eight-team, 12-game, bracketed college basketball tournament, will take place Nov. 22, 23 and 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The Big West will serve as annual host for the event, which will air on ESPN2 and ESPNU. The inaugural field features USC and Southern Illinois, both of which reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 last season. The tournament also includes UC Irvine, Miami-Ohio, South Alabama, Mississippi State, San Diego and Tennessee-Chattanooga.

The tournament will include teams from eight different conferences each year. One position will be reserved for the Big West, which plays its conference tournament at the 7,500-seat Anaheim Convention Center in March. Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State are expected to participate in 2008 and 2009 to help the tournament generate local interest.

"The Anaheim Classic will present an outstanding opportunity for our members to play against quality competition," Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell said. "The event further supports Anaheim as a city of destination for college basketball."

Karate GSKA's biggest event

The Golden State Karate Association will host its biggest tournament of the year on Saturday at Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium. More than 150 divisions will be represented in various forms, including sparring, traditional forms, weapons, open forms, open weapons, self defense tag team, and breaking. Sparring begins at 8 a.m. Information: (209) 825-2695 or www.gska.net.

Motorsports Lodi Cycle Bowl

Many top riders from the state are entered in Saturday's races at the Lodi Cycle Bowl at 5801 E. Morse Road. Gates open at 2 p.m., practice is at 4 p.m., and racing begins at 5:30 p.m. on the quarter-mile short track. Information: www.lodicyclebowl.com.

Roller Derby Upcoming event

The Port City Roller Girls are in action at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 at Building 1 of the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $15 at the door, $10 in advance, and $5 for kids 12-and-under and seniors. Information: www.theportcityrollergirls.com.

Recreation Open house

The renovated Van Buskirk Community Center will have an open house from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, highlighting a new gym and playground. Activities include children's play stations, arts and crafts, and contests. Information: (209) 937-7358 or www.stocktongov.com.

Track and field Saint comes marching in

Kayla Clarin of the Stockton Saints Track and Field Club won the gold medal in the 800 meters and the bronze in the 400 at the State Games of America meet on Aug. 4 in Colorado Springs, Colo.