West L.A. Quarterback Paul Is Division Player of Year

Quarterback Bryan Paul of West L.A. College, a former Ventura County Small Schools player of the year at Moorpark High, has been selected Western State Conference Southern Division player of the year.

Paul passed for 2,158 yards and 23 touchdowns while leading the Oilers to a 8-2 record and tri-championship. Paul ranked second in the WSC with 2,557 total yards.

BOXING

Vargas 15th: Former U.S. Olympic welterweight Fernando Vargas of Oxnard, undefeated in eight professional fights, is ranked 15th by the International Boxing Federation.

Vargas, who has eight knockouts, is scheduled to fight Eduardo Martinez of New Orleans on Dec. 13 at Mashantucket, Conn.

GOLF

Staging area: Seven golfers with regional ties are among the 168 players who will begin play today in the final stage of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament at Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort in Haines City, Fla.

Jason Gore of Valencia, David Berganio of Pacoima, former Cal State Northridge and Kennedy High standout Bob Burns, Nike Tour player John Johnson of Ventura, Pepperdine graduate Michael Walton and Westlake High graduates Charlie Wi and Chris Zambri made it through elimination tournaments and are competing for 35 exemptions onto the 1998 PGA Tour.

There are six rounds in the final stage. Those not finishing in the top 35 automatically earn Nike Tour exemptions.