Trying to Make the Mark

Garrett Lepisto of Agoura High, above in the 40-yard dash, and Nick Czernek of Newbury Park High, right in the vertical leap, were two of 76 players from 16 schools who participated in the fourth Ventura County football combine at Rio Mesa High, co-sponsored by the Ventura County Coaches Assn. and The Times. Recruiters from 34 colleges attended, including Nebraska, Wisconsin and six Pac-10 schools. Recruiters were given the players’ academic transcripts, then evaluated them in four events. The fastest 40-yard dash time was 4.47, turned in by Russell Patton of Channel Islands. Patton’s teammate, Ernie Carrasco, had the best vertical leap, a combine-record 34 inches. Leaders in the bench press were George Tapia of Hueneme and Jerome Stevens of Rio Mesa, who each lifted 185 pounds 28 times. Kevin Mack of Rio Mesa was best in the shuttle run with a time of 4.0 seconds.