N.D.'s Crist selected to be among the Elite

N.D.'s Crist selected to be among the Elite
GERRY GITTELSON, Columnist

Limited to just seven football games last season because of aback injury, Dayne Crist of Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks nevertheless has been chosen to participate in the ninth annual Elite11 quarterback camp July 23-26 in Aliso Viejo - one of the highest preseason honors a prep football player can attain.

The past three quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy - Jason White, Matt Leinart and Troy Smith - all participated in the Elite 11.

A combination camp and competition, the Elite 11 is designed to give the nation's premier high school quarterbacks some top-level schooling by the best in the business.

Crist, a 6-foot-5, 228-pounder who has committed to Notre Dame, passed for 1,270 yards and accounted for 21 touchdowns last season.

"I'm really excited and definitely flattered," Crist said. "I know it's a big honor, and I'm looking forward to going out and competing with some of the best. It's definitely worth it, just surrounding yourself with quarterbacks of such a high caliber. It's only going to make you better."

Among those on the selection committee are Cal-Hi Sports editor Mark Tennis and Student Sports recruiting director Greg Biggins.

"I saw Dayne at a combine at USC and just liked the way he carries himself," Tennis said. "He just has the look of a quarterback. Actually, he looks more like a tight end, but these days the best quarterbacks look that way - a certain size, arm strength and athleticism, and a certain quiet confidence about them. They know they're the best out there but don't really act like it."

Two participants have been selected, and the remaining nine are expected to be announced soon.

"I like everything about Dayne Crist," Biggins said. "He has the physical tools - great size, great athlete, all the physical stuff - combined with his personality. He's just a natural born leader, a great kid that teammates can rally around. All that good stuff."

-- All four seniors on Alemany of Mission Hills' softball team have accepted college scholarships. Sara Jane Webster and Norma Orellana will be going to Dickinson State in North Dakota, Nicolette Nassif will go to Cal State San Marcos and Ashley Durazo will be going to Indian River City College in Miami.

-- Mick Bruce, a Taft of Woodland Hills linebacker who has transferred from ElCamino Real of Woodland Hills, is making quite an impression during spring football workouts.

"He's a sophomore about 5-11, 205 pounds, and he's real smart, just a bright football player," said Taft defensive coordinator Sean Pollard, who was El Camino Real's head coach last season. "Mick is going to have a big year."

-- Among the San Fernando Valley's intriguing young basketball prospects is Chris Braswell, a Chatsworth sophomore who is the son of Cal State Northridge men's coach Bobby Braswell.

The younger Braswell sat out this season because of transfer restrictions after arriving from Village Christian of Sun Valley, where he played on the varsity as a freshman. A terrific, flashy ball-handler, Braswell is expected to make a major impact this season.

"He's got a chance because he really loves the game," Bobby Braswell said. "He can do some things."

-- Richie Polan and Hussein Habbibi, who helped lead Buckley High of Sherman Oaks to its most successful basketball season in school history this past year, will have their jerseys officially retired.

-- Valerie Ortega, a sophomore at Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, has yet to strike out in 92 at-bats. She's the starting shortstop for the softball team and a .315 hitter for the Lions (26-3), the top-seeded team in the Southern Section Div. III playoffs beginning Friday.

Gerry Gittelson's column appears in the Daily News twice a week.

(661) 257-5218