SPORTS DIGEST : BRIEFLY

Walk-On Swim Coach Keeps Simi Program Afloat

Simi Valley High will be able to continue its swimming and water polo programs for the 1984-85 school year, after a local swim coach agreed to guide the program as a walk-on.

Two months ago, school officials threatened to cancel the water sports program for the next year, unless a qualified candidate could be found.

Last week, Honey Lanning agreed to coach both programs in a walk-on capacity. Lanning, a former assistant coach with the Pisces Swim Club, teaches swimming to students at her Simi Valley home.

Lanning will coach students in all four grade levels at Simi when the water polo season begins in September and swimming begins in February.

Ten Baseball Players Sign to Play at Pepperdine

Its roster depleted by losses to graduation and the professional draft, the Pepperdine University baseball team has announced the signing of 10 athletes to national letters-of-intent, including Birmingham High’s John Glantz.

Glantz, a 5-11, 190-pound catcher, heads the list of recruits. The left-handed hitter, who batted .366 average in his senior year with the Braves, is one of eight field players signed.

Outfielder Rick Hirtensteiner of Buena High in Ventura was among Pepperdine’s most prized recruits. Hirtensteiner was an all-state selection after hitting .400 in his senior season.

All-Southern Section selections Adam Karlewicz of Glendale Hoover and Scott Shockey from El Toro, also signed with the Waves.

The Waves’ search for talent, however, isn’t over. Head coach Dave Gorrie said he hopes to sign at least two more pitchers. Two pitchers from Northern California already have signed.

Five pitchers from the 1985 Pepperdine roster have pitched in the minor leagues this season.

Simi Valley Driver Finishes Disappointing 7th

Stock car driver Glen Steurer of Simi Valley had his best outing in eight NASCAR Winston West races, leading twice and running fourth two laps from the end.

However, inexperience in the pits cost Steurer as his car ran out of gas a mile before the finish in Saturday’s Winston Yakima 150 in Yakima, Wash. He finished seventh behind winner Hershel McGriff of Bridal Veil, Ore., on the half-mile oval track .

Winston West point leader Jim Robinson of Reseda finished third in the race, while Bob Kennedy of Thousand Oaks finished 10th. Robinson, with two wins this season, has finished in the top three in all eight Winston West races.

McGriff is second in the point standings behind Robinson, while Steurer is fourth. Kennedy is 13th.