PREPSAlan Eberhart of Crescenta Valley, Bill Redell...

PREPS

Alan Eberhart of Crescenta Valley, Bill Redell of St. Francis and Bob Barone of Ribet Academy guided their football teams to victory in their inaugural games as coach.

Eberhart, who succeeded Jim Beckenhauer, is 1-0 after Crescenta Valley defeated La Canada, 35-7. The Falcons’ victory was achieved despite the absence of quarterback-kicker David Fielder, who was recovering from a sprained ankle.

Redell, who replaced Andy Boynton, began his reign at St. Francis with a 21-0 victory over Burroughs. Barone, who succeeded Fred Lewis, saw his Fighting Frogs defeat Masada, 42-12.

Phil Duran, who replaced Ken Gerard at Marshall, is still looking for his first victory. Garfield defeated the Barristers, 41-7.

*

Michelle Zayas of Crescenta Valley and Kevin Koeper of St. Francis won their races in a season-opening quadrangular cross-country meet that also included La Canada and Burbank.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The Glendale College football team has a bye this week after opening the season with a 20-16 victory against Citrus College on Saturday.

Glendale scored the go-ahead touchdown with about six minutes left on a 47-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Ray to Sky Bushey.

Ray also hooked up with Brett Miller for a 48-yard touchdown pass in the first half.

Pathon Rucker gained 51 yards in 16 carries and Jerome Casey carried six times for 45 yards, 39 of which came on a second-quarter touchdown run.

*

The Glendale men’s and women’s cross-country teams opened their seasons by winning the San Diego Mesa invitational.

Luis Jacobo was the top Vaquero men’s finisher, placing fourth with a time of 21 minutes 13 seconds.

Auria Roberto of Glendale won the women’s race in 20:12. Glendale’s Margarita Renteria was second in 20:14.

*

Occidental opens its football season Saturday with a nonconference home game against Azusa Pacific, which lost its season opener against Cal Lutheran, 10-9.

Occidental, under 12th-year Coach Dale Widolff, returns 35 lettermen from the 1992 team that finished 5-4. The Tigers, who run the triple option, are led by senior slotback Brian Madlangbayan, who averaged 7.8 yards a carry and was a first-team Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference player in 1992.

Andrew Wind, a free safety, led NCAA Division III schools by averaging 18.7 yards a punt return.

Senior center Jed Wockenfuss and senior linebacker Brian Wolf are returning all-conference players.

*

The Occidental women’s volleyball team will compete in the Pomona tournament this weekend.

The Tigers opened their season at the Mills College tournament last weekend with victories over Mills College and UC Santa Cruz and losses to second-ranked UC San Diego and No. 12 Menlo College.

Second-year Coach Jeff Campbell has several returning players, including junior Jennifer Kunz, an all-conference outside hitter. Tami McCrossen, Leslie Heitler and Kim Dunsmoor are also back from a team that finished 16-6 and tied for the conference championship with La Verne and Claremont.

Mia Solmssen, a 6-2 middle blocker, is the top newcomer.

*

Occidental’s cross-country teams open their seasons Saturday at the Fresno invitational.

Senior Becky Kopchick is the Tigers’ top returning women’s runner. Sophomore Will Allan leads the men.

PREP ATHLETE OF WEEK

Erik LaCom, Crescenta Valley--LaCom, a running back, gained 125 yards in 14 carries and scored four touchdowns as the Falcons defeated La Canada, 35-7, in their season opener.

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Chris Ray, Glendale--Ray, the Vaqueros’ quarterback, completed nine of 15 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns as Glendale rallied to defeat Citrus, 20-16.

WHERE THEY ARE NOW

Sam Farmer, who graduated from La Canada High and Occidental College, is the author of a book titled “Bitter Roses,” which chronicles the Washington Huskies’ 1992 football season and details the controversies that led to recent sanctions against the program.

Farmer is a columnist and reporter for the Valley Daily News in Kent, Wash.

MISCELLANY

A golf tournament that will benefit the Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California will be staged Oct. 18 at Oakmont Country Club in Glendale. Information: (800) 371-4123.

Registration for the American Roundball Corp. Fall League will take place the next two Sundays at 11 a.m. at North Hollywood High.

The varsity and junior varsity leagues are open to boys and girls grades 7 through 12. Players may register as individuals or as part of a team.

Information: (818) 995-3761.