Smith, Griffin Named Southland Co-Athletes of Year

Keith Smith of Newbury Park High and Sara Griffin of Simi Valley High have been selected boys’ and girls’ co-athletes of the year in the Southland by the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles.

Smith, who became California’s all-time passing leader with 9,971 yards while leading the Panthers to a Southern Section Division II championship last fall, turned down a football scholarship with Arizona to sign a pro baseball contract with the Detroit Tigers. Smith, a shortstop who batted .352, was drafted in the fifth round.

Griffin, a senior pitcher who will attend Michigan, was 21-2 with 16 shutouts and an 0.15 earned-run average. Griffin twice was selected state player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports. Griffin’s four-year record was 63-6 with 43 shutouts and five no-hitters.