Estancia Football Coach Resigns

John Liebengood has resigned as football coach at Estancia, Athletic Director Tim Parsel said. Liebengood had a 53-67-3 record in 12 seasons, the most career victories of an Eagle football coach. Estancia was 4-5-1 in 1997.

Although Liebengood, 47, will remain as a physical education and health teacher at Estancia, Parsel said he expects to offer a full-time teaching position to the new coach, thanks to a school district-wide early retirement program that is expected to free up several spots.

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Seven of the 13 players on the U.S. men’s national water polo team that will start its quest for a FINA world championship today in Perth, Australia, have Orange County connections.

The team includes Gavin Arroyo (Villa Park High), goalkeeper Chris Duplanty (UC Irvine), goalkeeper Dan Hackett (Irvine High), Chi Kredell (Seal Beach), Jeremy Laster (San Clemente High), Chris Oeding (Corona del Mar High) and Ryan Bailey (UC Irvine).

The United States, which won the FINA World Cup last year, opens the tournament against Australia. The U.S. coach--John Vargas--is the boys’ coach at Corona del Mar High.

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The Westminster Wave youth ice hockey team will play for the North American championship Jan. 30-Feb. 1 in St. Clair Shores, Mich., after dominating the Rocky Mountain Regional last month.

The Wave, a team of 8- and 9-year-olds went 6-0 in the regional tournament near Denver, outscoring opponents, 33-5, including a 5-0 victory over Colorado-based Banff Hockey Assn. in the title game on New Year’s Eve.

Four Wave players--Donnie Hallmark of Ontario, Ryan Santana of Yorba Linda, Madard Sison of Cerritos and Richard Leitner of Los Alamitos--made the all-tournament team.