Grant High running back Di-Onte Smith was...

Grant High running back Di-Onte Smith was named the state athlete of the week by Cal-Hi Sports.

Last week against Marshall, Smith rushed for 352 yards in 19 carries and scored on runs of 79, 98 and 69 yards. He also forced a fumble in the final minute that secured the Lacers’ 20-15 victory.

Smith, 5-feet-10 and 180 pounds, is the region’s leading rusher with 495 yards in 41 carries.

Golf

A trio of Westlake High players finished in the top 20 over the weekend at the Lake Tahoe Junior Golf Classic at the Genoa Lakes Golf Club in Genoa, Nev.

Ross Fulgentis of Westlake Village was the top area player with a 36-hole total of 144, good for a share of fifth place. He finished six shots off the lead.

Westlake teammates Brandon DiTullio finished tied for ninth at 146, and Matt McCrite tied for 20th at 150. Darren Angel of Northridge finished tied for 16th at 149.

Jason Semelsberger of Newhall finished in a tie for 31st at 152, Ben Cherney of Encino tied for 37th at 153 and David Trovato of Valencia tied for 39th at 154.

Miscellany

Girls’ participation in high school sports in the Southern Section has increased 28.3% over the past two school years, according to figures recently released by the section. Boys’ participation increased 8.7% over the same period.

The girls’ sport with the greatest increase in participation was soccer, which increased 22.6%. The number of girls playing 11-man football increased from 14 to 71.

The results are based on a survey the section distributed to its 1,148 member schools. The section received responses from 93% of the schools.