Serna, Gomez Are Athletes of the Year

Thomas Serna, a freshman who helped Santa Ana College to the state men’s soccer title, and Zoila Gomez, a freshman who helped OCC to the state women’s cross-country title, were selected as the Orange County community college athletes of the year.

Serna, from Saddleback High, scored 33 goals for Santa Ana, which finished 22-1-3. He had three goals in the state tournament, including both in a 2-1 victory over DeAnza in the semifinal round.

Gomez, from Costa Mesa High, won the Orange Empire Conference and the Southern California individual cross-country titles and was fifth in the state meet.

Gomez also had a strong track season that included winning the 10,000-meter race and finishing third in the 5,000 at the state meet.

J.P. Frutos, who led Santa Ana to the men’s state soccer title, and Ray Haas, who led Cypress to the state women’s soccer title, were the coaches of the year.

Haas and Cypress softball Coach Brad Pickler were selected as state coaches of the year by their respective coaches’ associations.

BASEBALL

Three members of Cypress’ baseball team, which finished second in the state, have announced college plans.

Brandon Pack, a catcher and outfielder from Esperanza High, is going to South Carolina. First baseman Steve Hindman (La Mirada High) is going to Cal State Dominguez Hills and left-handed pitcher Jason Stewart (Marina High) will play at West Virginia.

Saddleback right fielder Clare Langford (Woodbridge High) has signed with Albertson College, an NAIA power in Caldwell, Idaho. Albertson won the NAIA title in 1998 and was second this year.

SOFTBALL

Tara Kroener, who was twice selected the Orange Empire Conference softball player of the year at Saddleback, has accepted a scholarship at Colorado State.

Kroener (Chaffey High) had a pitching record of 48-17 in two seasons and set Saddleback career records for hits (112) and runs batted in (71).

Shortstop Anne Skidmore (El Toro High) will play at University of San Diego next season. She set the Saddleback career record for runs scored (69).

Cypress shortstop Melissa Beck, who shared the Orange Empire Conference player of the year award with Kroener, will play at Division II Kennesaw (Ga.) State.

Beck, from Garden Grove High, helped Cypress to its third consecutive state title.

TRACK AND FIELD

Cal State Fullerton announced the signing of sprinter Da’Rell Murray to a letter of intent.

Murray is transferring to Reedley College in Fresno after turning down a football scholarship to San Jose State, according to Cal State Fullerton sprinters’ coach Chris Asher.

Murray has not run track in two years--he played football at Reedley--and ran track only one year at Fresno Edison High, but is on the all-time Top 10 Central Section list in the 100-meter dash.

SURFING

San Clemente upset Huntington Beach to win the National Scholastic Surfing Assn.’s national high school championship Monday at Lower Trestles in San Clemente.

San Clemente, which hadn’t won a title since 1982, was led by senior Mike Lossness, who won the high school individual title. Lossness also will participate in the men’s open division, which starts Thursday.

San Clemente finished with 91 points, 10 points ahead of Huntington Beach. Each high school team consists of eight members: seven shortboarders (six boys and one girl) and one longboarder.