VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : DIGEST : Eligibility of Five Players Is Questioned

Only one of six Van Nuys High football players who transferred from Birmingham this summer has been cleared to play today against Hamilton.

Yesel Manrique, a senior running back and defensive lineman, received the go-ahead from the City Interscholastic Athletics Committee. Van Nuys did not present sufficient evidence that the other players have changed residence.

Seniors Max Parra, Miguel Lopez and George Capistran, and juniors Luis Arreola and Eddie Kirakosian won’t be able to play until a final decision on their eligibility is reached.

The IAC meets again Sept. 21.

VOLLEYBALL

* Steve Russell has quit the Cal State Northridge men’s team and dropped out of school.

Russell, among the team’s top middle blockers as a freshman last season, was a Times’ all-region selection at Royal High in 1998.

* Outside hitter Jamie Griffin of Cal State Los Angeles, a graduate of Simi Valley, was selected California Collegiate Athletic Conference player of the week for Aug. 30-Sept. 6.

Griffin had 55 kills, 41 digs, five solo blocks and three aces in 12 games to help the Golden Eagles (6-0) win four matches and the championship of the Concordia-Irvine tournament.

GOLF

* Tim Hogarth of Chatsworth helped California finish tied for 10th in the USGA Men’s Team State Championship when the final round was rained out and 36-hole totals were declared final at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va.

Hogarth, the Southern California Amateur champion, shot 70-73--143 and tied for 12th in the individual standings.

TENNIS

* Kelly Edwards, who played at Northridge from 1996-98, has been hired as girls’ coach at Harvard-Westlake.

Edwards, 31, replaces Jennifer Dohr, who guided the Wolverines to the Southern Section Division III semifinals last season.

SOCCER

* Santo Rivas, a former coach at La Canada, has been appointed interim coach of the Cal State Los Angeles men’s and women’s teams after Leo Cuellar resigned both positions to pursue other opportunities.

Rivas has served as a Golden Eagle assistant the last two seasons.

Cuellar, who played for Mexico in the World Cup, is coach of the Mexican women’s team.

SOFTBALL

* Tryouts for the Southern California Stealth 18-and-under girls’ softball team are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 18-19 at Chaminade Middle School.

Information: (805) 496-7538.