El Camino’s 8-Year Swim Sprint Ends

Birmingham High handed the El Camino Real boys swim team its first league dual-meet loss in eight years Thursday.

Led by a strong performance from Matthew Ballard, the Braves defeated the Conquistadores, 88-81.

The score was decided in the meet’s last event, the 400-yard relay. Ballard, a sophomore, swam the last leg of the race, which the Braves won by two seconds in 3:34.5. Ballard also took first place in the 200 and 500 individual freestyles. His times were 1:52 and 5:0.9.

Birmingham (4-0, 5-0) can clinch the league title Monday with a victory over Chatsworth at Cal State Northridge.

CSUN Tennis at San Luis Obispo

The CSUN men’s tennis team travels to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for a match today, then continues north for a match on Saturday with Cal State Hayward.

The Matadors return home to play host to Chapman College on Monday and Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday. Home matches begin at 2 p.m.

CSUN Women in Tennis Tournament

The CSUN women’s tennis team will play in the eight-team Bronco Invitational at Cal Poly Pomona today through Sunday.

The modified round-robin tournament also features Cal State Bakersfield, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Denver, Idaho State, Northern Colorado and UC Davis.

CSUN plays Denver at Village Oaks in Covina, today at 9 a.m., Northern Colorado at Cal Poly Pomona, Saturday at 2 p.m., and UC Davis at Village Oaks, Sunday at 9 a.m.

Middleton Relieved After Signing

The phone is back on the hook at the Middleton household.

Late Wednesday night, Valley College guard Larry Middleton signed a national letter of intent to play basketball for Clemson University.

With that signature, Middleton ended weeks of recruiting meetings, trips and phone calls.

His reaction: relief.

“I thought it was a lot of fun at first, but as it progressed I got tired of it,” Middleton said.

The 6-2 sophomore from Taft High was sought by about 75 NCAA Division I universities. By the end, he had narrowed down the choices to Clemson and Fresno State.

“I liked what I saw on my trip down there,” Middleton said. “Clemson is not a big town, so there aren’t a lot of distractions. I think I’ll feel comfortable living there and playing in their system. They run a lot on offense and press on defense, which fits my style.”

Middleton said Clemson Coach Cliff Ellis didn’t promise him a starting role, but clearly seemed to expect his prize recruit to get playing time.

“He told me they don’t recruit guys to sit on the bench,” Middleton said. “I said, ‘Good, because I won’t go any place to sit on the bench.’ ”

Middleton said he selected Clemson over Fresno State after comparing the teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference to those of the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.

The result of that comparison: “No comparison,” according to Middleton.

“The ACC is a much better conference. I figure the tougher the competition, the better I’ll get,” he explained. “If I keep playing against players I can take apart, I’ll never get any better.”

At Valley, Middleton averaged 28 points a game and was named to the all-state team two consecutive years.

Middleton was recruited by Clemson assistant coach Rudy Washington, a former USC assistant, Laker scout and Compton College head coach.

Washington spotted Middleton when Valley played Compton two years ago.

“I really didn’t play that well against Compton, but I guess he saw something he liked,” Middleton said.

Apparently Washington made a note not to forget what he had seen. Middleton is the only community college player from Southern California whom Clemson has signed.

Middleton says he will continue his schoolwork at Valley and will play in an area summer league before leaving for Clemson in August.