Team Kicks in With Nifty Birthday Present for Ruiz

Former Cal Lutheran and Simi Valley High soccer standout Willie Ruiz had a lifelong dream fulfilled on his 26th birthday Thursday: He was chosen by the Arizona Sandsharks in the first round of the Continental Indoor Soccer League draft.

Ruiz, a midfielder-striker who was a Division III All-American in his senior season in 1993 after setting several Cal Lutheran records, was the fourth pick overall in the draft.

He is the Cal Lutheran career leader with 144 points, 58 goals and 29 assists.

Ruiz was an assistant the past two seasons on the UC Irvine men’s team. He played in 1994 and 1995 for the semi-pro Simi Siege of the Pacific Soccer League.

Ruiz is the second Cal Lutheran soccer player drafted by a professional team. Dave Salcwedel, goalkeeper for the San Jose Clash of the MLS, was the first.

Ready to roar: Several drivers from the region are expected to compete in the stock car season opener at Kern County Raceway in Rosamond on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The probable drivers include Sylmar’s Travis Thirkettle, Simi Valley’s Kenny Kranzler, Scott Dinger, Rick Hopkins and Rick Crow, North Hollywood’s Dana Rea and Canyon Country’s Rick Schutte.

Also expected to compete are North Hills’ Mike Bush, Valencia’s Tom Siebuhr, Saugus’ Aaron Staudinger and Newhall’s Steve Bennett.

Making the grade: Tom Samson, a senior forward on the Cal State Northridge men’s basketball team, has been selected to the Big Sky Conference’s 1997 Winter All-Academic team.

Samson is a biology major.

Going to the dogs: St. Bonaventure High’s Todd Therrien, the Tri-Valley League lineman of the year, has committed to Redlands.

Therrien plans to play football and baseball for the Bulldogs.