Steinberg Is Medalist at California Amateur

Craig Steinberg of Van Nuys shot a four-under-par 68 on Tuesday at Pebble Beach Golf Links to win medalist honors in the stroke-play portion of the California Amateur Championship.

Steinberg, reigning Southern California Amateur and Los Angeles City champion, finished with a two-round total of one-under-par 141, one stroke better than first-round leader Andy Miller of Napa, son of NBC commentator and former PGA Tour pro Johnny Miller.

Tim Hogarth of Chatsworth, stroke-play medalist in the tournament last year, shot 74-77--151 to finish 22nd and advance to the first round of single-elimination match-play, which begins today.

The top 32 players advanced to match play. Jeff Morrison (78-74--152) of Castaic also advanced and Keith Kinsel of Glendale (76-77--153) lost in a six-way playoff for the final four spots.

BOXING

Fernando Vargas of Oxnard stopped Anthony Stephens at 2:33 of the fifth round of a scheduled 10-round middleweight fight Tuesday night at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.

Vargas (13-0) a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, has won all of his fights by knockout since turning pro in March 1997.

Stephens, 33, hurt Vargas, 20, in the fifth with two overhand rights before Vargas caught him with a left hook and followed with a right to the abdomen. Stephens (29-10-2) went down and was counted out.

SURFING

Dylan Slater, a 16-year-old from Ventura High, will be compete in the open juniors division at the National Scholastic Surfing Assn. championships this week at Lower Trestles in San Clemente.

Slater is seeded No. 1 in the 13-15 age group after winning the Southwest Juniors championship. “I’m ready for any conditions,” Slater said. “I’m not taking any competitor for granted. I’m just going to try my hardest and whatever happens, happens.”

The finals are set for Saturday.

TRACK AND FIELD

Six weekly all-comers meets will be held at Birmingham High, starting today at 5:30 p.m.

The meets, which will be held every Wednesday through July 29, will start with youth division competition at 5:30, followed by novice, open and masters events at 7:30.

BASEBALL

Tim Arroyo, an All-City first baseman from Kennedy High, has signed with Cal State Northridge.