Coach Goes Bowling on His Own After Snub

Community colleges operate with a unique set of rules and no one knows that better than Santa Monica College Athletic Director Keith Shackleford.

Santa Monica’s football team was not invited to one of 13 statewide bowl games this season. Shackleford, a graduate of Huntington Beach High and Golden West College, decided to act.

On Nov. 20, he contacted a Santa Monica-area bank. By noon the Corsairs had a check for $4,000. Later, Citrus College agreed to play in the first Beach Bowl. The game was Saturday and drew 1,200 spectators. Host Santa Monica won, 26-21.

“We were under the distinct impression that we were going to be selected for a bowl game,” Shackleford said. “When we found out we were not, we chose to take the matter into our own hands.”

TOURNAMENT TIME

Six former county high school players are on the men’s soccer team at Southern Methodist, which will make its first appearance in the NCAA semifinals Friday against Connecticut in Charlotte, N.C. All have seen significant playing time in guiding the Mustangs (20-4) to single-season school records in number of victories and number of games played.

Goalie Byron Foss, formerly of Santa Margarita, had six saves in the Mustangs’ 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Stanford. He has 83 saves this season. Former Mater Dei midfielder Bret Corbin (eight goals, five assists) and former El Toro High defender Ryan Kenyon (four assists) are expected to start Friday.

Ten former county high school players helped Long Beach College beat Santa Rosa, 2-1, in overtime Sunday for the California Community College women’s soccer title.

Michelle Bannister (Canyon) tied the score with 30 seconds left in regulation. Defender Sarah Gibson (Sonora) was selected most valuable player of the tournament. Midfielder Nikki Szlak (Los Alamitos), who scored the go-ahead goal in a 3-1 semifinal victory over Ohlone, scored 40 goals at Long Beach.

NOTABLE

Stanford midfielder Matt Moses, formerly of Santa Margarita High, started all 22 men’s soccer games for Stanford and had 10 assists.

Pepperdine reserve center Anna Lembke, an all-county selection from Ocean View High, is expected to play in tonight’s women’s basketball game at Cal State Fullerton. Lembke, a 6-3 junior who averages 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds, sat out Saturday’s 66-59 victory over UC Irvine after receiving 15 stitches in her forehead after a collision in practice.

Former Dana Hills High outside hitter Jami Bari had 14 kills and 12 digs for Santa Clara in its loss to Long Beach State in the second round of the NCAA volleyball playoffs.