This Pickler Is Making a Different Splash at Cypress

Around Cypress College, when the name “Pickler” is mentioned, most often the image of a diamond comes to mind.

Scott Pickler is the school’s baseball coach, and brother Brad runs the Chargers’ softball program.

But there is another family member--Brian Pickler--making an impact off the playing field.

Brian, a sophomore field player on Cypress’ water polo team, is the nephew of Scott and Brad. Brian’s father, Don, is the eldest of the Pickler brothers.

“It helps out a lot,” Brian said of having his uncles around. “There is always someone to go to for advice on what (classes) to take, or if I just want to hang out between classes.”

Brian Pickler plans to play baseball for the Chargers this spring, but his present thoughts are about water polo. He is second on the team in goals with 40. Pickler is left-handed, which gives him an advantage in a right-hand dominated sport.

Cypress (13-4), ranked seventh in the state, plays host to second-ranked Orange Coast at 7:30 tonight in an Orange Empire Conference game.

Pickler started playing water polo and baseball as a freshman at Esperanza High School. He continued with both sports until he graduated in 1990.

“I wanted to have sixth-period P.E. in high school, so I had to play a sport,” Pickler said. “We had a pool all my life, and I figured I could swim pretty well, so I gave it a try.”

He planned to end his athletic career in high school, continuing as a student only at UC San Diego. But Pickler had to alter his plan when he found out he wasn’t going to be accepted at UCSD until the winter quarter. Instead of sitting around, he decided to get a start at a community college.

Pickler considered Fullerton but chose Cypress mostly because of family ties. He decided to play water polo as well.

He was the third-leading scorer for the Chargers last year with 60 goals, despite suffering a broken nose midway through the season. He was first told he would have to miss at least two weeks, but after getting a mask to protect his nose, he missed only one game.

“I figured I would just stay for the semester,” Pickler said. “But I liked it so much, I’m staying for two years.”

Running Pirate: Sophomore running back Adrain Steen tied an Orange Coast record by scoring four touchdowns Saturday as the Pirates beat Grossmont, 48-12.

Steen touched the ball 11 times on offense: eight rushes for 107 yards and two touchdowns and three receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

Steen has 1,299 career rushing yards, only 574 behind all-time OCC leader Tony Accomando (1974-75).

OCC is off to a 3-0 start, but Steen and the offense are only part of the reason. The Pirates’ defense is among the best in the state, allowing 184 yards and nine points per game.

OCC has a 56-0 edge on points scored as a result of turnovers. Opponents have fumbled 17 times and OCC has recovered 10. OCC also has four interceptions.

Wrestling: The 1991 season opens Wednesday with Cypress and Golden West in action at 7:30 p.m. Cypress is at San Bernardino Valley and Golden West plays host to Moorpark.

Rancho Santiago, the only other Orange County community college with a wrestling team, participates in the Bakersfield tournament Saturday.

Football Poll: Pasadena (4-0), which beat Fullerton, 48-38, remains on top of the weekly Southland Poll. Orange Coast (3-0) is second and Moorpark (3-0) third.

Santa Barbara (3-0) is fourth, Fullerton (2-1) fifth, Southwestern (3-1) sixth, Antelope Valley (4-0) seventh, Palomar (3-1) eighth, Golden West (3-0) ninth and Saddleback (2-1) 10th.

Golden West puts its undefeated record on the line at 7 p.m. Saturday, when the Rustlers play host to Southwestern at OCC.