DIGEST : CSUN’s 12th Signee in Football a Two-Way Standout

Chris Smith, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound linebacker and tight end from Bear River High in Auburn, Calif., became the 12th player to sign with Cal State Northridge. Smith was an All-Golden Empire League first-team selection on offense and defense.

Boxing

Gus Heath of Van Nuys on Saturday will represent Los Angeles in the Toughman World Championships in Atlantic City, N.J. Heath, a 21-year-old trainer at a Valley gym, advanced by defeating six challengers in regional competition.

Taekwondo

John Salas of Burbank placed third in a youth tournament Sunday at Alhambra High. Salas, 11, competed in the 11- to 13-year-old sparring division.

Women’s basketball

Senior forward Jody Bittner was named the 1992-93 most valuable player for Cal State Northridge after leading the team in scoring (274 points, 10.1 per game), minutes (883) and blocked shots (10).

Other honorees: freshman guard Michelle Esparza, most improved; senior guard Janel Vega, best defensive player; and freshman guard Ninette Reyna, best-conditioned player. Also, senior forward Haly Griffith and senior guard Janine Caldwell were given the “Matapride” award, and freshman guard Kris Waldorf, Bittner and Griffith were presented with academic awards for cumulative grade-point averages of 3.0 or better.