The Pacific Coast League held its first Sportsmanship Awards breakfast last month at Beckman High. Each member school selected one male and one female to receive the award.

Beckman’s honorees were soccer player and track and field athlete Christina Dietz and swimmer Charlie Rimkus.
Representing Irvine were basketball player Sarah Callian and football, basketball and volleyball player David Andrade.

And University’s honorees were volleyball player and track and field athlete Tess Nelson and football player and track and field athlete Sam Kuo.

The award criteria was based on the CIF’s Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship).
The event began with a keynote address from CIF Southern Section Commissioner James Staunton. Each athlete was then introduced by the school’s principal or athletic director. The athletes received plaques for their achievements. > STAFF Read More...

Football: Checking in on the South all-stars (Wed practice)
July 1st, 2009, 11:03 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Damian Calhoun, OCVarsity.com since 2004

The South squad, led by Brian Barnes and the Tesoro coaching staff, continued preparation for the July 10 O.C. All-Star Game, Wednesday night.
What: South football practice
Nik Abele is back in action: Abele missed the first two days of practice with a broken left foot. Well, the boot was off Wednesday and there he was getting time on both the offensive and defensive lines.
“He’s a man child,” Barnes said. “I wouldn’t want to meet him in an alley. He’s tough to stop.”
Abele joins an already sizable offensive line, which includes Aliso Niguel’s Matt Peleti (6-3, 275), Laguna Hills’ Jeff Quigley (6-4, 280) and San Clemente’s Steve Watts (6-4, 260).
Three days in and Barnes likes what he’s seeing: “I’m impressed with how things are going. We have our offense in, our defense in and the kids have really meshed together well.”
Here is Barnes’ thoughts on those who have stood out: Segerstrom WR Nicalaus Powell-Calhoun (no relation) has been great. On the offensive line, Steve Watts (San Clemente) has done a great job pass-blocking … Jeff Quigley (Laguna Hills) is a tough kid.
The list continues: Jaron Hytche (Mater Dei), Gavin Escobar (Santa Margarita). On the defensive side of the ball, Artie O’Keefe (Fountain Valley) and the three Edison kids (Bryce Brantley- OL, Will Andrew-DE, Matt Reza-LB).
Are you checking in with dad? We talk every day, but we’re both keeping secrets.
The roster: Laguna Hills defensive back Shawn Tucker was on the field. It was his first day. He replaced Colton Fitch (Mission Viejo).
*Check back Thursday for a look at the North.

Irvine's Abele not just a football star
BY TIM BURT
SPORTS EDITOR
Comments | Recommend
Nik Abele has left his mark at Irvine High, both as an outstanding lineman on the football field and an excellent track and field competitor.
But he's still got one more event representing his school.
Abele, the Irvine World News male athlete of the year, will compete in next week's Orange County all-star football game at Orange Coast College.
Chances are the UCLA-bound Abele will have an impact on the game, scheduled for Friday, July 10, at 7:15 p.m. at Orange Coast College.
The 6-7 Abele was a key player at Irvine, earning first team all-county recognition as an offensive lineman.
Abele was a tenacious defender with 35 lead tackles, 48 assisted tackles, five sacks and eight tackles for a loss on an Irvine team that wound up 8-4 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
"Nik Abele had as big an impact on Irvine football as any player we have had," said Irvine football coach Terry Henigan. "That impact was felt in the weight room, on the practice field and in the games.
"His performance level in all areas was so high that it forced other players to raise their level.
"I am not trying to do a disservice to past Irvine players, but I do believe he is the best all-around player to have played at Irvine High School. Most of the recruiters who pursued Nik as a collegiate player felt that he has a fine future ahead of him at the next level."
Abele was also a key member of Irvine's track and field team.
"Nik came out and made an immediate impact," said Athletic Director Erik Terry. "He was able to score in both the shot put and discus in every dual meet and in league finals, he gave us huge points.
"His PR in the shot was 50-1 and his discus PR was 155-6. He placed fourth in both events in the league finals, ending what was an amazing season considering this was his first year in track."
Abele was likely busy on the football field this week preparing for the all-star game before preparing for his first season at UCLA.
But he will be remembered for some time to come at Irvine High.