Northridge Offers Kearin Pact

Jeff Kearin, who last season coached the Cal State Northridge football team on an interim basis, said Monday he has been offered a four-year contract. He is expected to sign the pact this week. Terms were not disclosed.

Under Kearin, the Matadors had a 5-6 record, 4-4 in Big Sky Conference play.

FOOTBALL

* Chris Catalano, who helped Westlake High win the Southern Section Division IV football title, has committed to Rose Bowl-bound Wisconsin.

Catalano, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound wide receiver and defensive back, had 68 receptions for 1,050 yards and scored 18 touchdowns this season. On defense he intercepted five passes.

* Ron Veres was fired as football coach at Simi Valley High. A replacement has not been chosen.

The Pioneers were 5-24-1 in three seasons under Veres, including 1-9 this season.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

* Buena High lost to Canyon of Texas, 49-35, in the semifinals of the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions National Championship Division at UC Santa Barbara.

Kelly Greathouse scored 21 points for Buena (7-2), which was outscored, 14-4, in the final six minutes. Canyon (13-0), ranked No. 8 in the nation, was led by T’Nae Thiel with 25 points. Buena is ranked No. 12 in the nation.

In a California Large Schools Division quarterfinal, Kristine Gleisberg had 17 points and six blocks for Ventura (6-0) in a 58-48 victory over Peninsula (3-3) at Santa Barbara High.

Ventura, ranked No. 1 in the region by The Times, made 13 of 16 free throws, including eight in the fourth quarter to hold off the Panthers, two-time defending Southern Section Division I-AA champions.

Alex Gientke added 10 points for the Cougars.

In a California Large Schools consolation game, Judy Colliers scored 21 points and Tiffani Spottiswood added 14 for Palmdale (5-4) in a 47-43 victory over Bakersfield (0-5) at Santa Barbara High.