Buena’s Larson Goes Home; Shows No Sign of Paralysis

Buena High defensive end Paul Larson has made a near complete recovery from a stroke he suffered 11 days ago and has been discharged from the UCLA Medical Center.

Larson shows no signs of the paralysis to the left side of his body he exhibited after collapsing while working at a Ventura entertainment center Oct. 4.

Clot-thinning medication was administered immediately by Dr. Frank Gillingham, the emergency room physician at Ventura County Medical Center, and physicians at UCLA Medical Center raised Larson’s blood pressure and rerouted blood flow in his brain.

Doctors said a blood clot in the carotid artery in Larson’s neck cut off flow to the middle cerebral artery in his brain, causing the stroke. The artery was apparently torn during a game Sept. 26, but at the time the only symptom of the injury was a slightly sore neck.

“Initially he had severe paralysis, but we were able to get blood to the surrounding area during the small window of time before brain damage was irreversible,” said Dr. Chelsea Kidwell of the UCLA stroke center. “This is not something that has never been done, but it is certainly not routine. It might we worth reporting in the medical literature.”

Larson, who was deluged by visits from teammates and friends Wednesday, is expected to return to school as early as next week.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Flowers progress: Cal State Northridge senior quarterback Aaron Flowers, who owns several school passing records, was cleared Wednesday by an orthopedist to rehabilitate the right leg he broke in a game against Azusa Pacific on Sept. 20.

Flowers could be ready to play at home against Cal State Sacramento on Oct. 25.

Starting offensive right tackle Brian Hubinger remained at Northridge Hospital on Wednesday with what Coach Jim Fenwick said was a gastrointestinal disorder.

Van Buren out: Leodes Van Buren, the former record-setting receiver for Newbury Park High, has left the Moorpark College football team and intends to seek redshirt status for the remainder of the season, Moorpark Coach Jim Bittner said.

Van Buren, a sophomore, did not practice last week or play in a 38-20 loss to Santa Barbara on Saturday.

Bittner said Van Buren suffered a knee injury two weeks ago against Bakersfield. Van Buren this season had participated in few plays as a receiver and had been used primarily as a free safety.

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING

Back to school: Sean Shea, the Channel Islands High wrestling coach last season, has resigned to study at Cal State San Bernardino, Raider Athletic Director Al Tarazon said Wednesday. A replacement has not been named.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

Riccio transfers: Joe Riccio, a senior who last season averaged 13 points and 3.2 steals for the Thousand Oaks High boys’ basketball team, has transferred to Santa Paula, joining his father, Joe Riccio Sr., who is the school’s athletic director.

Christoffersen returns: Chris Christoffersen, a 7-foot, 250-pound Danish exchange student who earned All-Frontier League honors in boys’ basketball last season, has returned for his senior year at Nordhoff High.

Last season Christoffersen led all area players with an average of 6.3 blocked shots per game.

COLLEGES

Pepperdine commitments: Lindsay Phillips, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter from Huntington Beach Marina High, has committed to Pepperdine.

Pepperdine has also received commitments from Melissa Plass, a 5-11 setter from Fountain Valley, Lisa Borom, a 6-1 outside hitter from Las Vegas Clark and Emily Rothman, a 6-0 outside hitter from San Diego Rancho Bernardo.

Nelson to CSUN: Tim Nelson has transferred to Cal State Northridge from Villanova and will walk on to the men’s volleyball team.

The 6-4 Nelson, who might move from middle blocker to opposite hitter, was a 1996 Times’ all-area selection from Alemany High. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Valley highs: High temperatures forced the postponement of 12 high school cross-country meets at Pierce College on Wednesday.

The meets, which include teams from the Northwest Valley, Valley Pac-8 and Coastal conferences of the City Section, have been rescheduled for Monday.

Neipp out: Andrea Neipp of Brigham Young, the 1996 state Division II cross-country champion for Highland High, will redshirt this season because of an injury to her left hip. Neipp suffered the injury in early September.