Ventura College Football Should Be a Kick for Barry

Joy Barry is excited by the opportunity. Terry Morris is intrigued by the possibility. Steve Hoffman is nervous about the risk.

The issue in question is the choice of Barry, the 1996 Western State Conference women’s soccer player of the year, to try out as a kicker for the Ventura College football team, coached by Morris. She will also play for the soccer team, coached by Hoffman.

Barry last kicked at Thousand Oaks High, where she made seven of seven extra points as a junior in 1994. She has not played football since that season.

Last month, Barry asked Morris for a tryout.

“I thought it was more of a joke situation,” Morris said. “I didn’t know she was for real. She did a fantastic job and I told her she would have the opportunity to try out [in August].”

Hoffman, who hopes Barry will receive a college soccer scholarship, is less than thrilled.

“I would never stop her from doing it but I’m scared to death,” Hoffman said. “I just don’t want her getting hurt.”

Morris and Barry are unconcerned.

“She’s a tough cookie,” Morris said. “She’ll be OK. I don’t intend to have her do kickoffs, which should keep her from getting whacked.”

Said Barry: “If I played in high school and didn’t get hurt, I won’t get hurt [in college level]. I’m risking something . . . but the guys will protect me.”

Double shot: Cheree Hicks placed 13th and Christina Tolson was 15th for Cal State Northridge in the women’s shotput Thursday at the NCAA track and field championships in Bloomington, Ind. Both are freshmen.

Hicks, seventh in the discus Wednesday, put the shot 49 feet 2 1/2 inches, with Tolson at 49-0 1/4.

Good as gold: Robert Cook, 53, of Encino won the gold medal for badminton singles in the men’s 50-54 division at the U.S. National Senior Sports Classic VI in Tucson.