Crespi Fullback McElroy Becomes a Navy Man

Fullback Deron McElroy of Crespi High has accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and will play football for the Midshipmen.

“I’ve already signed all the papers,” McElroy said.

McElroy rushed for 122 yards and one touchdown in 25 carries last season. He also caught 14 passes for 278 yards and one touchdown.

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Eleven standout high school football players from the region have been chosen to play in the 43rd North-South Shrine all-star game July 23 at Citrus College in Azusa.

The game features the best high school seniors in the state.

Picked to play for the South team are quarterback Keith Smith of Newbury Park, running backs Tyrone Crenshaw (Sylmar) and George Keiaho (Buena), linebackers John McLaughlin (Hart) and Keith Schiele (Antelope Valley), linemen Willie Perryman (Burbank) and David Pratchard (Canyon), and receiver Jim Romero (L.A. Baptist).

Among those selected but unable to participate are quarterback Leon Blunt (San Fernando), running back Wilbert Smith (Montclair Prep) and receiver Leodes Van Buren (Newbury Park).

The South is coached by Tom Hoak of Eisenhower.

Soccer

Sixteen area seniors will be among those representing the West team in a high school all-star soccer match Sunday at Cal State Los Angeles.

Representing Grant are Diego Valencia, Franklin Medrano, Manuel Ramirez, Greg Angel, Jesus Lopez, Ante Bilayer and Henry Mejia. Other players include Rene Perdomas and Douglas Barrera of Birmingham, Brett Reveles and Oscar Galicia of Kennedy, Jose Cortez and Wilebaldo Tobar of Van Nuys, Rafael Repreza of North Hollywood, Angel Gomez of Granada Hills and Antonio Martinez of Taft. Players from Palisades and Hamilton will round out the 21-player roster.

The West will be coached by Terry Davila of Reseda and Frank Ortiz of Grant. The East will be coached by Jesus Torres of Bell and will include players from Bell, Banning, Washington, Garfield, Locke, Westchester and South Gate.

The California Stars, an under-17 boys’ soccer team composed of area high school players, has advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Soccer Federation National Cup. The Stars will play the California Flyers of Glendale on May 7 at El Dorado Polo Grounds in Indio. The winner will face either Diamond Bar or San Diego for the championship May 8.

Star players include Chris Sailer of Notre Dame, Roberto Perez of Burroughs, and Warren Davidoff, Brian Angelini, Jay Rosen and Jeremy Kroger of Harvard-Westlake.

Ice Hockey

The Thousand Oaks Thunder, a team for players ages 8-9, won the California Amateur Hockey Assn. state championship last Saturday with a 4-2 victory over the San Diego Hawks at Pickwick Arena in Burbank.

Four players scored for Thousand Oaks: Courtney Crane, Tim Stiller, Kenny Bensman and Chris Bogeberg.

Cycling

Thurlow Rogers of Van Nuys finished first among 50 competitors last Saturday to win the William Saroyan 100-mile road race in Fresno.

Shawn Cronkhite of Chatsworth finished second Sunday in the Saroyan Criterium.

Miscellany

Cal State Northridge assistant athletic trainer Bill Miller, 33, has resigned, effective June 10, to pursue a doctorate in sports psychology at Springfield (Mass.) College.

Danny Everett, a 1988 Olympic gold medalist in the 1,600-meter relay, will conduct a one-hour running seminar today at 12:30 p.m. at the Warner Center Club in Woodland Hills.

Admission is free. The address is 6336 Canoga Ave.

An adult fantasy basketball camp featuring instruction by former Laker Michael Cooper and other former NBA stars has been scheduled for Palm Springs, June 16-19.

Information: 619-320-3220.