November 1, 2007
DiLuigi is fired at Canyons
Varner dismisses defensive coordinator, who had a disagreement with offensive coordinator Vaughn.
From Times Staff Reports
Canyon Country Canyon defensive coordinator John DiLuigi was fired by Coach Chris Varner on Monday after a disagreement between DiLuigi and offensive coordinator Guy Vaughn during the Cowboys' 10-3 victory over Valencia West Ranch on Friday, the Daily News reported.
DiLuigi said he had planned to leave the team after this season to focus on the career of his son, J.J. DiLuigi, who is a redshirt at Brigham Young this year because of a foot injury.
Both DiLuigis were part of Canyon's Division I state bowl championship-winning team last year under Coach Harry Welch, who left Canyon last spring to become coach at San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret's. Before Canyon, DiLuigi was a defensive coordinator at Mission Hills Alemany.
Varner will take over the defensive coordinator duties.
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Girls' Golf
A potential showdown between defending champion Michelle Park of L.A. Center for Enriched Studies and Angela Villela of San Fernando will highlight the City Section girls' golf championships, which begin Monday at Encino Golf Course.
Park, a junior, and Villela, a senior, are joined in the first group by Natalie Lodwig of Woodland Hills El Camino Real and T.J. Kliebhipat of Van Nuys. The quartet opens the tournament, teeing off at 8:30 a.m. Lodwig and Kliebhipat, both sophomores, are also legitimate contenders
Venice, Chatsworth, Van Nuys and L.A. Marshall will contend for the team title.
Granada Hills, the defending team champion, failed to qualify.
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College Commitments
Chris Cummings of Encino Crespi, considered among the best soccer players in Southern California, has committed to UCLA.
Cummings, a midfielder, didn't play for the Celts last season while attending the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., as he was part of the residency program, trying to make the under-17 national team.
"He's electric," Crespi Coach Rob Kodama said.
Running back Kenjon Barner of Riverside Notre Dame has committed to Oregon. Barner has rushed for 1,953 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. He also considered Texas El Paso and Arizona State.
Mike Montgomery, a senior left-handed pitcher from Newhall Hart, has committed to Cal State Fullerton.
The 6-foot-4 Montgomery is rated among the top 100 prospects by Baseball America magazine. He's also a top outside shooter for the Indians' basketball team.
Jeff Bandy, a 6-4 senior third baseman from Thousand Oaks, has committed to Arizona. Bandy helped lead the Lancers to the Marmonte League championship last season. He's the third Thousand Oaks player to accept a Division I scholarship. Pitcher Chad Smith is headed to USC and pitcher Jeff Johnson is committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
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Miscellany
Wayne and Janet Gretzky's estate sale Saturday raised more than $200,000 for two local schools, with a large portion of the proceeds going toward the construction of a baseball stadium at Westlake Village Oaks Christian. The Hockey Hall of Famer's upscale garage sale also benefited programs at Carden Conejo School.
Gretzky memorabilia hunters started lining up outside the Bedrosian Pavilion at Oaks Christian around 5:30 a.m. to get first dibs on home furnishings, recreational vehicles, clothing, limited-edition signed bottles of Wayne Gretzky Estate Wines and autographed jerseys.
Gretzky's son, Trevor, plays on the Oaks Christian freshman football team and will play baseball for the Lions.
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Austin Knoblauch