Sunkist Meet Draws Several Area Standouts

Deena Drossin of Agoura High, Marion Jones of Rio Mesa, Jeff Wilson of Newbury Park and Ryan Kieling of Crespi are among area athletes who will compete in the Sunkist Invitational at the Sports Arena on Jan. 18.

Drossin, the defending state champion in the 3,200 meters and the three-time state Division I cross-country champion, will run in the mile.

Jones, a sophomore and the defending state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, will run in the 50-meter dash and the 4 x 160-yard relay. Wilson, a junior and this year’s state Division III cross-country champion, will run in the boys’ rated mile.

Kieling, the defending Southern Section 2-A Division champion in the 110 high and 300 intermediate hurdles, will run in the high hurdles.

Jim Benkert, Westlake High’s football coach for the past two seasons, will be an assistant coach for the Warriors’ track and field program in the spring.

Benkert, 32, an assistant football coach at Crespi from 1985-88, had coached the Celts’ track team from 1985-90. Under Benkert, Crespi won three Del Rey League titles and placed second in the 1989 Southern Section 2-A championships.

Montclair Prep’s Andy Shaw and Taft’s John Erganian are on a team representing California in a 19-and-under baseball tournament in Australia that runs through Jan. 3.

Signups for the Conejo Valley Little League will be held Jan. 5 at the Janss Mall in Thousand Oaks.

Information: 805-494-4381.