Area Olympians Have the Mettle

Five athletes from the region have been honored as athletes of the year in their sports by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Gail Devers of Mission Hills was selected for women’s track and field. Dot Richardson of Sherman Oaks was the choice in softball.

Justin Huish of Simi Valley was recognized in archery, John O’Neill of Newbury Park in field hockey and Eric Wynalda of Westlake Village in soccer.

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On the air: Radio station KWNK (670 AM) will join the Cal State Northridge-Idaho State football game in progress tonight following the California-Arizona State game. The Cal game begins at 3:30 p.m. Northridge starts at 5:35 p.m.

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Soccer coaches hired: Charles Watson has been hired to coach the Burbank girls’ team, replacing Jaime Saldana, who resigned recently.

Watson, 24, coached club soccer last spring in New Orleans.

Mike Williams, 35, coach of the boys’ team at Westlake from 1986 to 1991, has been hired to take over the Agoura boys’ program.

Williams’ first Westlake team, which featured U.S. National team stars Cobi Jones and Eric Wynalda, went 22-2-2 and won the Marmonte League.

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On the road: North Hollywood High running back Dante Clay has scheduled January recruiting trips to Colorado and Arizona State.