TRACK AND FIELD

Gigi Mendola of Birmingham High, who finished third in the girls’ 400 meters and fifth in the 200 in the City Section championships last year, has committed to Cal State Fullerton.

Mendola ran a career best of 57.44 in the 400 to tie Erin Reed of Taft for first place in the West Valley League finals on Friday.

ATHLETICS

* Providence High Athletic Director Andrew Bencze is taking a one-year leave of absence to pursue academic studies in England.

Bencze, who held the position for one year, will be replaced by Karri Kirsch on an interim basis.

MOTORSPORTS

* Defending super late model track champion Rod Johnson of Canyon Country was awarded his first victory of the season at Irwindale Speedway on Thursday when cars driven by Kevin Vernon of Bakersfield and Brandon Miller of Rancho Santa Fe were disqualified from the 75-lap Food 4 Less race May 6 for having cylinder heads that did not meet specifications.