BRIEFLY : Transfer Is Expected to Lead CSUN Runners

Dave Walsh, a transfer from Ventura College, is expected to be Cal State Northridge’s top men’s cross-country runner this season.

Walsh, from Canyon High, finished fourth in the 5,000 meters at the state community college championships in May.

Craig Ingram, the state JC champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase last year at Moorpark College, should be Northridge’s second man. Dane Costley, Will James, Doug Sullivan, Derik Vett and Eric Loicano are expected to comprise the remaining five positions.

Coach Don Strametz said the team should improve upon last year’s fifth-place finish in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn.

The CSUN women’s team, which finished second in the NCAA Division II meet, should be even better this year, according to Strametz. “It will be the best team we’ve ever had,” he said.

CSUN returns three of its top five runners in Heather Brooks (22nd at nationals), Nancy Bowman (25th) and Tammy McCarty (34th).

Darcy Arreola of Grossmont High in La Mesa was the state champion in the 1,600 meters and leads a strong group of recruits. Lisa Ash, Tina Cheney, Theresa Poy and Heather Houston also are expected to make major contributions to this year’s team.

“The six best Division II teams in the nation are in the West Region, and only three of them are guaranteed a trip to nationals,” Strametz said. “It’s possible that three very good teams will not make it.”

The Northridge teams begin their seasons at the UCLA Invitational on Sept. 14.

Pro Bowling Comes to Simi Valley

The Brunswick Valley Bowl in Simi Valley is the site of a Women’s World Professional Bowlers Assn. two-day tournament, which starts today.

About 80 women bowlers are expected to compete in qualifying rounds today; the top 16 advance to Sunday’s final round, which features a round-robin format. The total purse is expected to be more than $6,000.

NOTABLE

Although the Trans Cal Championship motocross series begins Sept. 7, last year’s champion will be halfway around the globe on opening night. Willy Simons of Simi Valley has accepted an invitation to ride in Milan, Italy that weekend.

But Simons has not conceded the championship; he’ll return to California in time for the second race of the seven-race series, which is scheduled for the following weekend in Brentwood, Calif.

The series, which is sponsored by the California Motorsport Club, serves as a breeding ground for riders who try to earn sponsorships from major motorcycle manufacturers. Mickey Dymond of Riverside placed third in last year’s series to win a factory ride from Honda. Dymond won this year’s outdoor national motocross championship.

Tom Roanhaus, formerly the freshman football and basketball coach at Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, has been hired as the varsity basketball coach at St. Anthony High in Long Beach. Roanhaus coached at Notre Dame in 1982 and 1983, leading the 1982 freshman basketball team to a league championship.

A miniature golf tournament to benefit the Police Activities League Supporters of the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division will be staged Sunday and Monday at the Malibu Castle miniature golf course in Sherman Oaks.

The second annual tournament, which runs from noon to 9 p.m. on both days, costs $3.50 per round per person, $2 of which will be donated to PALS.

Agoura High’s homecoming football game against Calabasas on Oct. 24 will benefit a weight and conditioning room being built in the memory of former Charger coach Bill Belcher, who died last year. Special $10 tickets, available only on a pre-sale basis, can be reserved by calling Sheri Mount at (805) 497-1680 or Vicki Koch at (818) 889-8488.