Coach Gets Recruit in His Backyard

David McLeish, men’s soccer coach at Southern California College, recently scored his biggest recruiting coup in 10 years with the Vanguards and he didn’t have to leave his house.

Josh McLeish, one of Soccer America’s “Super 11 recruits” from the Far West and the coach’s son, decided to attend SCC despite several NCAA Division I scholarship offers.

Josh McLeish had orally committed to Fresno State last year but changed his mind. Cal State Fullerton Coach Al Mistri called this week, but McLeish is sticking with the Vanguards.

“I just didn’t find something that felt perfect for me,” said McLeish, a first-team All-Southern Section midfielder at San Clemente as a junior. He transferred to Capistrano Valley Christian and had to sit out the 1996-97 prep season.

“Speaking as a coach and trying not to sound like a father, he truly can read the game better than anyone I have seen,” said McLeish, who coached his son in AYSO and club competition. “And technically his range is wide and very good. His skills are among the best I’ve ever seen for his age. I know any way you put it, it’s going to sound like a proud father.”

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Track and field: Several SCC athletes have a shot at victory at the Golden State Athletic Conference Championships Saturday at Santa Barbara City College.

Isis Orejel, a sophomore from Santa Ana Valley High, leads the conference in the 400 meters at 56.51 seconds, a time that also qualifies her for the NAIA Championships this month in Marietta, Ga.

Orejel also is among the NAIA leaders in the 200 with a school record and personal best of 25.24.

Darriann Kenworthy, a freshman from Del Rio, Calif., ranked third in the conference in women’s pole vault (9 feet 6 1/4). She already has qualified for the national meet.

Maribel Delgado, a freshman from Santa Ana Valley, has run the 800 in 2:18.05, two seconds off the national qualifying mark.

Senior Larry Holland, who finished third in the NAIA in the marathon last year, will compete in the 5,000 and 10,000 Saturday.

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Baseball: SCC’s Bryce Primm was named GSAC pitcher of the week for the second week in a row. Primm, whose 2.19 earned-run average leads the conference, gave up five hits and three runs in a victory over Westmont and in one inning against UC San Diego.