Mike Stanton, a standout football, basketball and baseball player at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, has been named Cal-Hi Sports Athlete of the Year - only the second local since John Elway to achieve the honor (Steve Smith of Taft of Woodland Hills was the other for 2002-03.) Stanton, picked in the second round of the MLB draft by the Florida Marlins, is deciding between a USC baseball scholarship or turning pro. "The Cal-Hi award is a great honor," said Kevin Rooney, Notre Dame's football coach and athletic director.
"Mike Stanton is one of the most remarkable athletes I've ever had the opportunity to be around." Big words coming from a man who coached eventual NFL players Justin Fargas (Oakland Raiders RB) and Travis Johnson (Houston Texans DE). "And his future is so bright because he hasn't even tapped into all his ability yet.
Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's Malcolm Jones was selected State Freshman Athlete of the Year. Jones, younger brother of USC-bound Marshall Jones, recorded 34 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks as a member of the Lions' Div. III state championship football team and was also a standout in hurdles and shot put in track.
Since his retirement in 1999 after 10 NFL seasons with Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago and San Diego, quarterback Erik Kramer, who played at St.Genevieve of Panorama City, Burroughs of Burbank and Pierce College, remains close to the game, tutoring young quarterbacks. "I feel like I can help, and I can bring a certain knowledge of the game," Kramer said.
Among Kramer's pupils are Canyon's Sean Gavin, Agoura's Doug Shumway, Oak Park's Nick Dipaolo and Kyle Andrus, and Birmingham of Lake Balboa's Maury Crosen. Kramer, who lives in Agoura Hills, is helping Gavin adjust to being a starter for the first time for a program that's won two Southern Section division titles in a row, plus the 2006 CIF Div. "I think Sean is a real prospect," Kramer said.
"He's big and athletic with a real strong arm. He's definitely got some steam in the engine - he just needs to jump in and get a feel for the game." Running back Delano Howell from Hart of Newhall is a 4.
4 guy - in both the 40-yard dash and his grade-point average. He's expected to commit soon to Washington, UCLA or Stanford. Speaking of Hart, former Indians standout offensive lineman Joe Bernardi thought he'd continue to be surrounded by former teammates at Fresno State - until quarterback Sean Norton transferred and receiver Kevin Ciccone left the team.
"Believe me, I had a couple of real long conversations with both of them," Bernardi said. "It was one of those things where they thought it was the best decision to make because they felt like they were putting the work in but weren't reaping the benefits. "I'll tell you, it's a whole different world in college football.
I was all-everything in high school, but here I'm a backup this year." Chaminade of West Hills' football team is excited about the arrival of Ronald McRory, a receiver who has transferred from Notre Dame. He could help fill the void left by Aubrey Smith, now headed to San Diego State.
"I haven't seen him in a game yet, but he looks good," said returning quarterback Ryan Griffin, who last season passed for 3,128 yards and 31 touchdowns to help Chaminade to the Southern Section Western Division semifinals. Chaminade's other key receivers are Craig Kisylia and Tim Rawley. Snubbed after not earning All-Southern Section softball honors as a Lancaster sophomore despite 14 home runs and 47 RBIs, Shawna Wright is taking it out on opposing pitchers during summer competition.
In front of a large group of college coaches in Colorado earlier this month, Wright hit two home runs in one game, including a grand slam. Wright has received offers from Washington and Fresno State, and she's scheduled an unofficial visit to Michigan. Bianca Mejia, the 2006 City Section player of the year at El Camino Real before missing her freshman year at Michigan State because of knee surgery, is coming on strong.
Last month, she helped the USA Junior Women's National Team to a 3-1 victory over Japan to win the ISF world title in Holland. "I'm not quite 100 percent, but I'm working hard," Mejia said. Among Mejia's teammates were Tennessee's Tiffany Huff, who played at Saugus.
Grace Nam is the pride of Golden Valley of Canyon Country, one of the area's newest high schools, which is struggling to keep pace in the deep Foothill League. Nam is a top returning golfer who's finished second four times in summer tournaments. She boasts a 4.
5 grade-point average, receiving straight A's despite a schedule of rigorous advanced-placement courses. "If Grace keeps this up, she can write her own ticket to college," Golden Valley coach Tony Moskal said. Gerry Gittelson's column appears in the Daily News twice a week.
Mike Stanton, a standout football, basketball and baseball player at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, has been named Cal-Hi Sports Athlete of the Year - only the second local since John Elway to achieve the honor (Steve Smith of Taft of Woodland Hills was the other for 2002-03.
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