Jackson returns to Avengers much LA’s delight

Los Angeles Avengers receiver Chris Jackson, a former receiver for

Orange Coast College, has picked up right where he left off from last

year.

Jackson, who rejoined the Avengers after signing with the Tennessee

Titans in the off-season, has 22 receptions for 277 yards and five

touchdowns in four games.

Jackson had seven catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in the

Avengers’ 47-44 win over defending Western Division champion San Jose

last week.

Since rejoining the club, the Avengers are 2-2 with Jackson in the

lineup and 0-3 without him.

Last year, Jackson led the Avengers with 91 catches for 1,325 yards

and 26 TDs. His receiving yards and touchdowns ranked him fifth among all

AFL receivers.

Elsewhere in the professional ranks:

Former OCC pitchers Mike Shwam and Bryan Moore are putting up some

respectable numbers in the Midwest Class-A League.

Shwam is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA for the Beloit Snappers. In 35 2/3

innings, he has amassed 39 strikeouts and also has a save under his belt.

Shwam played two years at OCC before heading off to Cal Poly San Luis

Obispo in 1998.

Moore is 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA and six saves for Kane County. Last year

for Utica, he was 2-1 with a 1.54 ERA with seven saves.

Moore played one year as a Pirate in 1997 before resuming his

collegiate career at the University of Houston. He was a 13th round draft pick of the Florida Marlins.

With the 2001 school year drawing to a close, here’s a quick look at

some local athletes and how they did at universities throughout the

nation.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo standout Brett Baker (Corona del Mar High) is

being recognized for his contributions on the football field.

The senior-to-be led the 2000 Broncos in tackles (115), punt returns

(18 for a 9.4 average) to go along with his three interceptions and three

fumble recoveries.

Baker was named to the NIC All-Fraternity All-American first team as

well as the Division I-AA Independent All-Star second team.

Former OCC standout shortstop Nick Orlandos made an immediate impact

for the College of Charleston.

The junior started every game for the Cougars and compiled a ,328

batting average. His 61 hits led the team and in 201 at-bats, he struck

out only 10 times.

Orlandos’ teammate at OCC, Jason Reuss, wasn’t too shabby for UNLV

either. The 6-foot-5 right fielder/designated hitter batted .306 for the

Rebels with five home runs and 24 RBIs.

Rounding out the Pirate alumni is Brian Wahlbrink, who started in

center field for UC Riverside this season.

This season, Wahlbrink batted .297 with three home runs and 25 RBIs

for the Highlanders. As a spark from the top of the batting order, he

also contributed 18 stolen bases to UCR’s cause.

In the world of men’s volleyball, Stanford University freshman Billy

Clayton gained some valuable experience at the Division I level.

The Newport Harbor product compiled 95 kills, 40 blocks, 19 aces and

24 digs for the Cardinal, who finished the season 14-9.

With today’s second half of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft, look

for locals like OCC pitcher-outfielder Scott Beerer (Newport Harbor

High), Concordia University slugger Charles Chatman (Costa Mesa) and

Cypress pitcher Matt Larson (Corona del Mar) to be heavily discussed

among those in the teams’ “war rooms”.