Rancho Alamitos’ Byrd Selects Columbia Over Yale and Nevada

Rancho Alamitos running back Jeff Byrd, Orange County’s all-time single-season rushing leader, has committed to Columbia.

Byrd, 5 feet 10 and 175 pounds, led the state in rushing last season with 2,596 yards, which also set the county single-season record.

He chose Columbia over Yale and Nevada. He is not required to sign a letter of intent because Ivy League schools don’t offer athletic scholarships.

“I’m happy,” Byrd said. “I have a good chance at starting next year. It’s a very young team, all the offensive linemen are sophomores, so I think we could have a good team down the road.

“I guess, you’ll never see me playing in the Rose Bowl, but graduating from an Ivy League school, I think I’ll be better off in the long run.”

Byrd, a straight-A student, is undecided on a major.

Marina volleyball player Cori Bown has signed a letter of intent with Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn., the school announced.

Bown, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, is a two-time Sunset League first-team selection and was an all-Orange County honorable mention pick.

Lauren Weaver of Estancia has made an oral commitment to attend St. Mary’s next fall, her coach Jenny Tavares said Monday.

Weaver, a center-midfielder, was the offensive Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast League in 1992 and 1993. She was also an all-Southern Section player last season.