Area Roundup : Hanssen, Cannon Head Mission Viejo Triathlon Field

Kirsten Hanssen and Colleen Cannon will be featured in the third Performing Arts Center Triathlon June 5 in Mission Viejo.

Hanssen is the top-ranked female triathlete, according to the Assn. of Professional Triathletes. Cannon is a former triathlete of the year and two-time defending champion of the Orange County Triathlon.

The race will feature a 1.5-kilometer swim in Lake Mission Viejo, a 35-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run. Proceeds will benefit the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Scott Tinley, who won the race in 1986, is considered to be the field’s top male triathlete.

More than 1,500 athletes are expected to compete in the event.

For more information, call 846-0813.

Speedway motorcyclist Bobby Schwartz, 32, of Costa Mesa spent eight years racing on the grueling circuit of the British Speedway League, and he says the experience taught him that preparation is one of the most important aspects of racing.

Schwartz has spent most of the week preparing to try for a sixth consecutive scratch main event victory at the Orange County Fairgrounds tonight in Costa Mesa. Schwartz’s goal is the record of 13 consecutive victories established by Alan Christian in 1980.

Gates open at 6:30, with the first heat race scheduled for 8. Parking and programs are free and all women will be admitted free.

Eight high school athletes have been selected as finalists for the Jewish Young Leaders in Sports awards, sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of the American Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Jennifer Kolsky of Cypress High School, Gregg Diamond of La Habra, Jeffery Jacobson of Loara, Stacey Gunthorpe of Marina, Reed Kiefer of San Clemente, Scott Lasensky and Steve Stolzoff of University and Aaron Malo of Villa Park were selected for their athletic, scholastic and leadership abilities.

The overall winner will receive a summer scholarship to the Rothberg School for Overseas Students at the Hebrew School of Jerusalem. The finalists will be honored at a banquet at the Irvine Hilton June 5.

For more information, call 955-2811.

The Maraquas team of Irvine will be featured in the Junior Olympics regional synchronized swimming championships Saturday through Monday at the Heritage Park aquatics complex in Irvine.

For more information, call 545-2855.

Jeff Jacobs of El Cajon and Sheldon Messeck of Placentia will be featured in the opening races of the Jet Ski Boating Assn. season, Saturday and Sunday at Marine Stadium in Long Beach.

Jacobs, 17, is the defending world jet ski champion and Messeck is the world champion in the X-2 jet ski division.

Entrants must be members of the International Jet Ski Boating Assn. The races, in professional, expert and novice divisions, are open to men and women.

For more information, call 720-0941.

The sixth celebrity golf classic to benefit the Orange County chapter of the Special Olympics will be held June 7 at the Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park.

The tournament will be followed by a banquet, raffle and auction.

The entry fee for the tournament and banquet is $200. A $50 fee will be charged for those attending only the banquet.

For more information, call 995-2225 or 843-5975.

The Costa Mesa seniors softball organization is holding registration for its team, which begins league play June 5.

Players must be age 55 or older. League games are played Sundays at Murdy Park and Greer Park in Huntington Beach.

For more information, call 957-2515.

Registration is under way for the Division of Championships Beach Over the Line tournament, which will be held June 4 at Huntington State Beach.

Entry fee is $30 per team. At least four games are guaranteed for each team.

For more information, call (213) 866-8685.