Lenaerts in Fair Condition

Aron Lenaerts, a junior lineman from La Quinta High, was in fair condition at UCI Medical Center on Monday after suffering a head injury during practice and lapsing into a coma Friday afternoon.

Assistant Coach Gary Crippen said Lenaerts, who was wearing a helmet and full pads, went into convulsions after after being hit in the temple during a tackling drill.

The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Lenaerts was air-lifted to UCI Medical Center in Orange, where he underwent surgery Friday night to reduce swelling and pressure on his brain. Crippen said Lenaerts, who remains in the intensive care unit, woke up Saturday afternoon.

Hospital spokeswoman Fran Tardiff said Lenaerts was “conscious and doing real well,” but was under instructions from Lenaerts’ mother to release only his condition.