Laguna Beach’s Styles Is Academically Ineligible for Volleyball Playoffs

Laguna Beach’s Dan Styles has been declared academically ineligible for the Southern Section Division I volleyball playoffs that begin Friday, Athletic Director Tom Klingenmeier said Wednesday.

Styles was a first-team all-county selection last season and helped the Artists (15-1), the top-ranked team in Orange County, earn the No. 3 seeding for the playoffs. Laguna Beach plays host to Santa Margarita Friday.

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The Saddleback Valley Unified School District approved the hiring of Bill Crow as Trabuco Hills football coach at its monthly meeting.

Crow has been an assistant at Trabuco Hills since resigning as Mission Viejo’s coach in 1988. He replaces Jim Barnett, who resigned after 10 seasons.

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Dan Rankin, Rancho Alamitos athletic director, said he assumed varsity baseball coaching duties last week from Jeff Osterode, a walk-on coach who earlier this season had turned in his resignation--effective at season’s end--to spend more time with his family.

“There was some dissension on the team,” Rankin said. “The kids just weren’t responding to Jeff, so we decided he shouldn’t wait until the end of the season.”

Rancho Alamitos is 6-15, 2-9 in the Garden Grove League with a game remaining today against visiting Bolsa Grande.

Rankin said applications will be accepted through May 19 and interviews will be conducted with all candidates. He hopes to select a successor by June 9.

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The CIF will present its 13th “Shake for Sportsmanship” awards winners before the Dodgers-Pirates baseball game Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

The award is based on a school’s participation, enthusiasm, behavior at games and treatment of opponents and officials. Judging includes student-athletes’ conduct, as well as the conduct of the school band members, drill teams, pep squads, cheerleaders and student-rooting sections. Winners are selected by members of their respective leagues, which can establish their own criteria.

Orange County winning schools:

Academy: St. Michael’s Prep; Century: Santa Ana Valley; Empire: Kennedy; Freeway: Troy; Garden Grove: Santiago; Golden West: Ocean View; Orange: Magnolia; Pacific Coast: Laguna Beach; Sea View: Irvine; South Coast: San Clemente; Sunset: Marina.