Fargas Among National Finalists

Notre Dame High running back Justin Fargas has been selected Gatorade Circle of Champions Pacific Region football player of the year, making him one of eight finalists for the national award.

Fargas, a senior, earlier was chosen California player of the year by a panel of media advisors assembled by Scholastic Coach magazine.

Other national finalists are Brian St. Pierre, a quarterback from St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Maine; Marquise Walker, a receiver and defensive back from Henninger High in Syracuse, N.Y.; Ronald Curry, a quarterback and defensive back from Hampton High in Hampton, Va.; Drew Henson, a quarterback from Brighton High in Brighton Minn.; Aaron Kampman, a linebacker from Aplington-Parkersburg High in Parkersburg, Iowa; Matt Holiday, a quarterback from Stillwater High in Stillwater, Okla.; and Steve Cutlip, a quarterback from Arvada West High in Arvada, Colo.

Among the 12 previous national award-winners are Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch (1995), Heisman Trophy candidate Peyton Manning (1993), Notre Dame quarterback Ron Powlus (1992), Minnesota Vikings running back Robert Smith (1989), San Francisco 49ers running back Terry Kirby (1988), Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (1986) and Oakland Raiders quarterback Jeff George (1985).

Talent showcase: Top senior football players in Southern California, including several from the Valley and Ventura County regions, are expected to participate in a recruiting combine Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Long Beach Veterans Stadium.

Players expected to participate include Burbank tight end Vardan Mkhitarian, Oxnard running back/defensive back Desmond Davis, and receivers Leon Pimky of Granada Hills, Shaun Avalos of Sylmar and Joey Cuppari of Westlake.

BOXING

Heavy hitters: Former two-time world champion Tracy Harris Patterson and 330-pound Tongan heavyweight Paea Wolfgramm will highlight a nationally televised boxing program Dec. 20 at the Reseda Country Club.

Patterson, 59-5-1 with 41 knockouts, will fight Manuel Chavez-Tellez in a 10-round lightweight main event. Wolfgramm, a 1996 Olympic silver medalist who is 11-0, will face an opponent to be determined.

The undercard includes welterweight Chuck Goossen (9-2) of North Hollywood and junior welterweight Effi Schneider (7-3-1) of Los Angeles in separate bouts.

CROSS-COUNTRY

All-Americans: Three members of the Glendale College men’s team received All-American recognition, and Kelly Doyle and Cheryl Ramos of the women’s team were chosen All-Western State Conference.

Julio Serratos, who finished fourth in the state championships, was selected to the All-American team and was chosen WSC runner of the year. Freshman Jose Merino was selected a second-team All-American and freshman Rafael Ramos was honorable mention.