Mater Dei’s McNair Selects Notre Dame

Mater Dei running back Mike McNair, who set a single-season school rushing record in 1997, announced Tuesday that he plans to play football for Notre Dame this fall.

McNair, who rushed for 2,678 yards and 14 touchdowns in leading the Monarchs to their second Southern Section Division I championship game last season, said he was most impressed by Notre Dame’s rich history and tradition.

“I’m used to a school with great tradition, like Mater Dei,” said McNair, who also plays linebacker. “When I went back for an unofficial visit over the summer, I saw just how much spirit there was. During a practice, one of the guys made a great play and everybody got excited about it.

“It’s like a huge Mater Dei.”

McNair (6-2, 220) was a first-team Times Orange County selection and was named MVP of the South Coast League last season. His single-season rushing yardage in 1997 was the third-best in county history. McNair also considered USC.

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Allison Marra, a midfielder/forward from West Torrance High, has orally committed to play soccer at UC Irvine, her mother, Mary Marra, said Tuesday.

Marra has led West Torrance in scoring the last three seasons and was an All-Southern Section third-team selection last year. She also plays for Torrance United, a club team.