Ian Prichard

After spending four years as the U.S. National water polo team coach, Rich Corso finally found some free time to pursue another dream: bring together the best high school water polo teams in the area for a tournament. Next week, the 1997 water polo season will kick off with just such a tournament. . . . well, almost. Seven of the area's powers are entered in the Harvard-Westlake tournament--Crescenta Valley, Burroughs, La Canada, Agoura, Crespi, Glendale and the host Wolverines.

Sophomore Kaitlin Sandeno used to marvel at Jennifer Parmenter, who at that time, was one of the top young swimmers in the nation. So it was understandable after Sandeno of El Toro High broke Parmenter's record Friday at Southern Section Division I girls' swimming finals that her grin was from ear to ear. "I feel so honored to break Jennifer's record," Sandeno said after her blazing 2 minutes .19 second victory in the 200 individual medley Friday night.

Robert Radnoti has been hired as the boys' and girls' cross-country coach at Thousand Oaks High. Radnoti, 40, replaces Jack Farrell, who stepped down in June after 20 seasons at the school. Farrell was regarded as one of the top high school cross-country coaches in the state after leading the Thousand Oaks boys to state Division I titles in 1993 and '94, and to Southern Section titles at either the Division I or 4-A level in 1980, '84, '86, '92, '93 and '94. "I'm excited about it," Radnoti said.

John Pehar, boys' golf coach at Crescenta Valley High, heard rumors about a hot-shooting freshman golfer at the school. But he had no idea how good Michael Park was until he saw him play. "I'd heard the kids talking about him," Pehar said. "But Michael was much better than I expected." Park has been the Falcons' No. 1 player in 10 of 11 matches this season, leading a relatively inexperienced team to an 8-3 record.