Azusa Pacific

Erik Boal GLENDALE -- A message contained in a recent fortune cookie inspired Village Christian senior Maria Abaca to give more consideration into playing volleyball in college. And as a result, the fortunes of an already successful Azusa Pacific University program just got a lot better. Abaca, who helped the Crusader girls' volleyball team win another Alpha League title and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division IVA semifinals in the fall, will attend the Christian-based school and walk on to its women's volleyball team.

The school board approved an agreement with Azusa Pacific University on Tuesday that will provide university students with teacher-training opportunities at Glendale schools. The agreement states that the university will pay the district $200 for each full-time teacher at the secondary level. The university will pay the district a rate of $100 for each nine-week assignment for full-time student teachers at the elementary and intermediate level. The California Education Code authorizes school districts to work with California State Universities and Colleges, the University of California system or any other university or college in providing teacher education.

TODAY Cross country College men and women -- UC Irvine at UC San Diego invitational at La Jolla; Vanguard at Vanguard invitational at Fairview Park, 9 a.m. Soccer College men -- UC Irvine at Cal State Fullerton, 7 p.m.; Azusa Pacific at Vanguard, 4 p.m. College women -- Azusa Pacific at Vanguard, 5 p.m. Volleyball College women -- UC Irvine at Pacific, 7 p.m. Water polo Community college...

HOPKINS -- GOSNELL Kimberly Hopkins and Chad Gosnell exchanged wedding vows at Glendale Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Brad L. Calhoun officiating. A reception followed at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club. The maid of honor was Jennifer Hopkins, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Nina Morton and Rebekah Beck, college friends of the bride. The best man was Donald Gosnell, brother of the groom. The groomsmen were Joey Alexander, a childhood friend of the groom, and Andre Crouch, a college friend of groom.

Hamlet Nalbandyan Bobby Myers will have some big expectations to uphold, but that's nothing new to him. The 30-year-old was named the new baseball coach at Glendale Community College on Tuesday. He'll replace Jon Strauss, who left to become an assistant coach at Loyola Marymount University after leading GCC to 66 wins during his two years and a pair of Western State Conference Southern Division titles. Continuing a winning tradition shouldn't be too difficult for Myers.

SCHEDULE TODAY BOYS' GOLF Valencia vs. Flintridge Prep at La Canada Country Club, 3 p.m. St. Francis vs. West Hills Chaminade at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 3:15 p.m. TRACK AND FIELD Burbank at Crescenta Valley, 3:15 p.m. Encino Crespi at St. Francis, 3:15 p.m. Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy vs. Woodland Hills Louisville at St. Francis, 3:15 p.m. Flintridge Prep at South Pasadena,...

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes at the collegiate level.   Laura Boyd (Crescenta Valley, 2006) sophomore middle blocker, Stetson College : Stetson capped off its current campaign with a four-match win streak, in part due to the play of Boyd. In the season finale, the Hatters defeated visiting Flager, 30-24, 28-30, 30-21, 32-30, marking the first time that the program had won four consecutive matches since Oct. 2002. In the win, Boyd finished with 10 kills and four blocks, helping the Hatters finish with 10 team blocks for the fourth time this season.

Vanguard goalkeeper William Johnson is only a freshman, but he already has one great college story to tell the girls. Vanguard shutout visiting Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 5 in the NAIA, on Saturday, 1-0, in a Golden State Athletic Conference match. It was a battle of last season's conference co-champions. This time VU was able to avenge its two losses to the Cougars in 2004. "This win meant a lot to the seniors. I had heard all week about how bad they wanted to beat Azusa," a smiling Johnson said.

LIST OF FALL ATHLETES The following is a list of local high school athletes who are competing or redshirting at either the Division I, Division II, Division III or National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics level for the fall season. If you know of someone who is competing at the college level who isn't on this list, please contact Erik Boal at 637-3225 or by e-mail: erik.boal@latimes.com. MEN'S CROSS-COUNTRY Ryan Burnett (La Canada, 2000)

GLENDALE — Coming off a big win in the final race of the College of the Canyons Summer Series and now a third-place finish in the Fullerton Invitational on Saturday, the Glendale Community College women’s cross-country team has plenty of momentum to start the season. More importantly, they’ve got confidence in their ability to race with anyone after beating out university programs such as USC, Loyola Marymount and Cal State Fullerton with 98 points in the 6K season opener at Fullerton Golf Course, which was won by Azusa Pacific with 53 points, followed by Long Beach State (65)

GLENDALE — Coming off a big win in the final race of the College of the Canyons Summer Series and now a third-place finish in the Fullerton Invitational on Saturday, the Glendale Community College women’s cross-country team has plenty of momentum to start the season. More importantly, they’ve got confidence in their ability to race with anyone after beating out university programs such as USC, Loyola Marymount and Cal State Fullerton with 98 points in the 6K season opener at Fullerton Golf Course, which was won by Azusa Pacific with 53 points, followed by Long Beach State (65)

GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes at the collegiate level.   Laura Boyd (Crescenta Valley, 2006) sophomore middle blocker, Stetson College : Stetson capped off its current campaign with a four-match win streak, in part due to the play of Boyd. In the season finale, the Hatters defeated visiting Flager, 30-24, 28-30, 30-21, 32-30, marking the first time that the program had won four consecutive matches since Oct. 2002. In the win, Boyd finished with 10 kills and four blocks, helping the Hatters finish with 10 team blocks for the fourth time this season.

According to some recent statistics, as many as 25 percent of American couples are initially meeting one another online. Gigi and Jim Schlueter are among a growing number of online romance success stories. At their wedding 18 months ago, Jim’s son toasted the newlyweds by saying they’re the first pair he’s known who share 29 matching personality points. Gigi and Jim were introduced through eHarmony, an Internet dating service.  “I liked the structured style of eHarmony; matching ages and personality are important to me,” said Gigi.

Vanguard goalkeeper William Johnson is only a freshman, but he already has one great college story to tell the girls. Vanguard shutout visiting Azusa Pacific, ranked No. 5 in the NAIA, on Saturday, 1-0, in a Golden State Athletic Conference match. It was a battle of last season's conference co-champions. This time VU was able to avenge its two losses to the Cougars in 2004. "This win meant a lot to the seniors. I had heard all week about how bad they wanted to beat Azusa," a smiling Johnson said.

TODAY Cross country College men and women -- UC Irvine at UC San Diego invitational at La Jolla; Vanguard at Vanguard invitational at Fairview Park, 9 a.m. Soccer College men -- UC Irvine at Cal State Fullerton, 7 p.m.; Azusa Pacific at Vanguard, 4 p.m. College women -- Azusa Pacific at Vanguard, 5 p.m. Volleyball College women -- UC Irvine at Pacific, 7 p.m. Water polo Community college...

Edgar Melik-Stepanyan That's exactly how they drew it up. Well, not really. La Canada High boys' basketball player Philip Anderson was supposed to set a screen on the low block, post up and get the ball in the final seconds of Saturday's second annual San Gabriel Valley All-Star Game. Instead, Anderson found himself with the ball 25 feet from the basket with three seconds on the clock, so there was nothing to do but heave up a shot that kept everyone's mouths open for what seemed like an eternity.

Rima Shah Growing up in an underprivileged area outside Sacramento, Bob Driffill wished he had the opportunity to be a part of an organization like the YMCA. In his 34 years of service at the Glendale Y, Driffill, who will retire from being its chief executive at the end of the month, made it his mission to have the YMCA serve the community's needs. Driffill, 57, joined the YMCA after graduating from Azusa Pacific University majoring in psychology, social science and history with a minor in physical education.

BASEBALL Riverside Poly 2, Crescenta Valley 0: The Falcons dropped their season opener Saturday in the Glendora Tournament at Azusa Pacific University. Trevor Bell tossed a two-hitter, striking out eight, but the senior yielded a two-run home run in the fourth inning that proved to be the difference against the No. 8-ranked team in Division I. Crescenta Valley managed just one hit in the game. SOFTBALL Hart 4, Hoover 0 (five innings)

Brianna Lohr of La Canada Flintridge, who is enrolled in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University, was named to the dean's list. The senior is majoring in communications design. Kelly A. Thomas, the daughter of George and Bonnie Thomas of Glendale, received a bachelor's degree from Colby College. The English major graduated from Flintridge Preparatory School. Chandra Chantim, the daughter of Chawabhan and Umaporn Chantim of La Canada Flintridge, has made the dean's list at Bucknell University.

Michael Leininger, principal of La Canada High School, has announced the students who have been named to the National Merit Scholarship program. They are Justin A. Brooks, Derik A. Hossepian, Isabel C. Kanholm, David J. Kim, Devin L. Kim, Raymond Y. Kim, Sara R. Kim, Jennifer D. Lazo, Stella Tera J. Lee, Lin Mendel and Colin T. McQuay. More are Edgar Mkrtchian, Kara V. Murphy, Claire F. Oakes, Christina E. Schiller, Walter T. Shatford, Kimberly A. Silka, David Y. Song, Jennifer C. Suh, Allison J. Thompson, Kevin M. Twohy, Marina L. Vigen, Darcy K. Wilcox and Vanessa C. Yu. Michael R. Fechter, Marine Corps private, son of Bob and Leslie Fechter of Glendale, graduated from U.S. Marine Corps Boot Camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego.