HIGH SCHOOLS / JIM LINDGREN : Fallbrook’s Glusac Gets Relief

After months of speculation, Milena Glusac finally has an inkling into what has been causing her great pain. The news was not particularly positive, but it was definitive.

Fallbrook’s Glusac, one of the top high school cross country runners in the nation, was diagnosed with having a pre-ulcerous spot on her stomach lining. An endoscope eased down her esophagus and into her stomach confirmed that diagnosis during tests last Monday, and a drug was prescribed to combat the condition.

On Friday, Glusac turned in her best performance of the season, winning a dual-meet race against Vista. Her time of 14 minutes 59 seconds over the 2.55-mile Fallbrook course was only 13 seconds off the course record she set late last season, and it was 1:18 better than Melanie Hand, her teammate and the runner-up.

Whether the diagnosis played a role is anyone’s guess, but Fallbrook Coach Marty Hauck believes it did.

“I think we’re going to see some fine things from her from here out,” Hauck said. “(When your sick,) I think it takes a tremendous stress off your mind knowing what you have.”

For Glusac, who is 5 feet 2, 92 pounds, this is the latest in a string of illnesses that began with the Kinney national championships last December at Morley Field. Glusac, one of the favorites after winning the state title and the Kinney West Regional, finished 30th in a field of 32 at the national championships.

This summer and fall, though she continued winning races, Glusac’s times were not improving for the first time in her life. While doctors and Glusac continually searched for answers, some suggested her career had merely reached a plateau.

On Friday, according to Hauck, “She didn’t look sick, hurting or over the hill just yet.”

MILLER TIME

For the second year in a row, University City defensive coordinator Chris Miller was elected most popular male teacher and spent halftime of Friday’s homecoming game on the back of a parade car.

“I’d much rather be in the locker room,” Miller said. “But being in the parade is nice. It’s a honor.”

Miller slipped into a tuxedo for the parade last year but didn’t get a chance Friday. He did, however, ride on the same 1961 red and white convertible Corvette for the second year in a row.

Asked if the vintage car was his, Miller chuckled: “I drive an ’86 Sentra,” he said. “Remember, I’m a school teacher.”

Miller, 42, remained at University City this fall because he had been diagnosed as having an irregular heartbeat a few days after being named head coach at Valhalla.

After learning of his condition, Miller turned down the Valhalla position, only to find out later he did not have an irregular heartbeat after all.

Further tests revealed medicine for his allergy gave doctors the impression he had a heart problem. Miller switched medications and is fine.

SAT SCORES

The Bishop’s School, a small La Jolla private school, won the championship of the Southwest girl’s volleyball tournament Saturday. It was Bishop’s first major tournament victory, but the Knights almost didn’t make it out of the morning pool play because their their three seniors were taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test.

The three Knights were middle blocker Kaylie Orr, outside hitter Lauren Bilger and back row specialist Christy Lindgren.

“They got there at a crucial time for us,” second-year Coach Steve Conti said. “We needed to beat Granite Hills in at least one game to advance out of pool play, and that’s when they showed up.”

Bishop’s won both games against Granite Hills, then beat University City in the quarterfinals, Calvin Christian in the semifinals and Sweetwater in the finals.

That, combined with Friday’s Coastal League victory over Francis Parker, made for a terrific weekend for the Knights.

Bishop’s had only defeated rival Francis Parker once in school history. That came last year in the playoff quarterfinals. Francis Parker had won six consecutive Section championships and eight of nine before last year.

In the Southwest Tournament, Bishop’s Kielty Gallagher was selected to the all-tournament team, and Conti also cited the play of outside hitters Allison Newell and Mandy Kirsten.

SELF ESTEEMED

Poway’s football team, 2-8 in 1991, lost 7-0 to San Pasqual in Week 1, and junior quarterback Travis Nichols completed two of 19 passes for 29 yards. Nichols also threw two interceptions, the first leading to San Pasqual’s score.

Titan Coach John Self still was impressed with Nichols.

“It was his first game starting on the varsity, and things broke down a little bit,” Self said. “But he was able to lead the team, and that’s what we’re looking for, leadership.”

Since then, Poway has won four in a row, including Friday’s 10-0 upset of No. 5 Fallbrook at Fallbrook.

In its last four games, Poway has outscored its opponents, 133-6, and Nichols has completed 34 of 60 passes for 564 yards and nine touchdowns. He has not thrown an interception since the first week and has also run for five touchdowns.

Football Top 10

No. School (Record) LW 1. Helix (5-0) 1 2. Morse (5-0) 2 3. El Camino (4-1) 3 4. San Pasqual (5-0) 4 5. Vista (4-1) 6 6. Fallbrook (4-1) 5 7. Point Loma (3-2) 7 8. El Capitan (4-1) 8 9. University City (5-0) 10 10. Mt. Carmel (3-1-1) NR

Others receiving consideration: Torrey Pines (4-1), Poway (4-1), Kearny (4-1).