Strauss Honored in 1st Season

Jon Strauss, in his first season at Glendale College, has been selected Western State Conference Southern Division baseball coach of the year.

All-Southern Division selections included first baseman Fernando Valenzuela Jr., infielder Jimmy Stone, outfielder Evan Shahak and reliever Ivan Lopez of Glendale; catcher Tony Cicero, infielder Ryan Cope and outfielder Peter Gunny of Pierce; and infielders Tim Hutting and Francisco Enriquez, outfielder Nolan LeMar, designated hitter Luis Velasquez and pitcher Ivan Hernandez of Canyons.

Second-team selections in the division were catcher Ryan Noll, infielder John Manuel, outfielders Jon Horwitz and Matt Friedrichsen, designated hitter Tom Rochin and pitchers Kevin Welch and Scott Webber of Glendale; outfielder David Johnson and pitcher Joel Kirsten of Pierce; first baseman Scott Sellz, infielder Juan Guerrero and reliever John Smith of Canyons, and infielder Tony Sandoval of Valley.

All-Northern Division picks included catcher Jared Krehbiel, infielder Josh Sanchez, outfielder Josh Miller and pitcher Scott Robertson of Oxnard, and outfielder Justin Collins of Moorpark.

Second-team selections in the division were pitcher Ernie Borjas of Oxnard, first baseman Tracy Goebel of Moorpark and infielder Brian Fryer, outfielder Ryan Wilson and reliever Mike Lopez of Ventura.

Basketball

Two of the region’s top boys’ players--Cody Pearson of Notre Dame High and James Jenkins of Crescenta Valley--are close to making their college choices.

Jenkins, a 6-foot-6 All-Valley forward who averaged 23.6 points, will walk on at San Jose State.

Jenkins will be competing in Saturday’s Southern Section Division II swim finals at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach.

Pearson, The Times’ Valley player of the year who averaged 24.3 points, said he likely will walk on at Pepperdine. A final decision is expected this weekend.

Pearson will be playing in the Battle of the Valley all-star game Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cal State Northridge.

Volleyball

Greg Vernovage of Pierce College has been selected men’s coach of the year by the California Coaches Assn. Vernovage led the Brahmas to their second consecutive state championship with a 19-0 record this season.