Parris, Heinle Are Selected Northridge Co-MVPs

Forwards Jeff Parris and Brian Heinle, who last season led the Cal State Northridge basketball team to its best NCAA Division I record, were chosen co-most valuable players in a vote by team members.

Parris, a 6-foot-5 senior and aggressive inside player, averaged 11.9 points and 4.6 rebounds. Heinle, a 6-9 junior and versatile player, averaged 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.

Northridge (20-10) advanced to the Big Sky Conference championship game, losing to Northern Arizona in overtime and narrowly missing a berth in what would have been its first NCAA tournament.

Point guard Markus Carr, who along with Heinle was an All-Big Sky selection, received the Pete Cassidy Coach’s Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership and dedication. Carr, a 6-1 sophomore, led the Matadors with a school single-season record 206 assists. Carr’s average of 6.9 assists ranked 13th in the nation.

Carl Holmes, a junior guard, was chosen defensive player of the year and was honored as the team’s top scholar-athlete. Holmes had career highs of 36 steals, seven blocked shots and 109 rebounds.

Hewitt Rolle, a senior forward, received an award for being the team’s leading rebounder. Rolle led Northridge with 205 rebounds, averaging 6.8 a game.

Freshman guards Craig Calloway and Lionel Benjamin garnered awards for best sportsmanship and most inspirational, respectively.

Marco McCain, a junior guard and the team’s three-point specialist, received the award for most improved player.

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The Northridge athletic department received a $100,000 donation Friday from the Tenet Healthcare Foundation, Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. The grant will be applied toward improvement of existing facilities and construction of athletic training and weight room facilities.

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Jamie Lindvall, a 1999 graduate of The Master’s College and former graduate assistant athletic trainer at the school, has been promoted to women’s soccer coach.

Lindvall replaces Dudley Hitchman, who resigned after three seasons to take a position with the Galaxy of the MLS.

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The Northridge baseball team, concluding the final stages of a second consecutive losing season, dropped a three-game series over the weekend at Arizona, losing 6-1, 12-8 and 9-7 at Tucson.

The losses dropped the Matadors to 18-29. Not since 1994-95 has Northridge posted consecutive losing seasons. The Matadors had three consecutive losing seasons from 1977-79.