Ex-Kennedy Star Pringle Jumps From CFL to Broncos

Mike Pringle, the former Kennedy High star and the Canadian Football League’s most valuable player last season, has signed a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos.

Pringle rushed for 1,763 yards last season and averaged 25 yards on kickoff returns for the Grey Cup champion Baltimore Stallions. He is expected to replace Glyn Milburn, who has been traded to Detroit, on kickoffs and also compete for a backfield position.

Pringle, 5 feet 9 1/2 and 200 pounds, rushed for a CFL-record 1,972 yards in 1994 in his first season with Baltimore. The former Cal State Fullerton star spent a year with the Atlanta Falcons and also played for Edmonton and Sacramento of the CFL.

Pringle, a 1985 Kennedy graduate, tied an NCAA single-game record in 1989 at Fullerton when he rushed for 357 yards. A week later, Anthony Thompson of Indiana broke the record with 377 yards.

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Agoura High linebacker Dan Gibbs has committed to play football and wrestle at Lehigh, Agoura Coach Charlie Wegher said.

Gibbs was a Marmonte League first-team selection in football and advanced to the State wrestling tournament at 189 pounds.

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Area high school players on the West team in the Hall of Fame all-star football game, scheduled for July 12 at Citrus College, are Mike Barrett of Burroughs, Jonathan Brownfield of Village Christian, John Carnevali of St. Francis, Jason Klintworth of Glendale, Oshin Honarchian of Crescenta Valley and Sam Paneno of La Canada.

Jurisprudence

Former Westlake High baseball Coach Dave Wilder has been released on bail from L.A. County Men’s Central Jail.

Wilder, 53, who was fired by Westlake last week for misstating his employment history, pleaded not guilty Monday in L.A. Municipal Court to three counts of felony grand theft after being arrested Saturday. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Boxing

Former welterweight contender Randy Shields will be honored by the Golden State Boxers’ Assn. at its annual dinner May 15 in Hollywood.

Some boxing experts consider Shields, from North Hollywood, the best boxer ever developed in the San Fernando Valley. Other honorees include veteran referee and judge Dick Young of Chatsworth, trainer Cannonball Green and former boxer Fabela Chavez.

Contributing: Mike Hiserman, Vince Kowalick, Michael Lazarus.