Westside : Lifeguards Win Title

For the third consecutive year, a team of women lifeguards from Los Angeles County has captured the national title in a competition that tests endurance skills of lifeguards from across the country.

The nine-woman county team beat second-place finishers from Sandy Hook, N.J., by a huge margin, 154 to 51 points, last week in the National All-Women Championship at New York’s Gateway National Recreation Area. Two dozen teams participated.

Lifeguard Diana Graner of Westchester was the top scorer in the seven-event competition, which included running, swimming, paddling and simulated water rescues. Other members of the Los Angeles County team included lifeguards Lisa Dial and Kelly Chrisman of Hawthorne, Jenny Susser of Westwood, Shari Latta of Malibu, coach Chris Rowley of San Pedro, Sheryl Luera of Torrance, Jeannie Barrett of Manhattan Beach and Lori Pokrivnak of Oxnard.