Briefly In Sports

Wacholder forfeits, while Pavlik has new partner

Laguna Beach High product Rachel Wacholder and partner Kerri Walsh had to forfeit their final two matches at the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals Muskegon Open in Michigan, due to Wacholder’s nagging shoulder injury.

Second-seeded Wacholder and Walsh finished tied for fifth, splitting $6,240.

At the same tournament, Laguna Beach resident Whitney Pavlik split from Stacy Rouwenhorst, finding a new partner in tour veteran Nancy Mason. Pavlik and Mason, seeded 14th, tied for 13th and split $1,800.

The tour heads to Chicago this weekend for the final tour stop that determines the Crocs Cup championship. However, both Crocs Cup titles have already been decided, with Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers on the men’s side, and Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs on the women’s side. Both teams earn a $45,000 bonus.

Lewis wins at Orange Show

Laguna Beach resident Michael Lewis won the No. 60 Western Speed Ford Focus midget race Saturday at the famous Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino.

Lewis also qualified first with a quick time of 12.838 seconds. The win was the third United States Auto Club Ford Focus feature win this season for Lewis, who retains fifth position in drivers points.

Lewis’ next event will be the final two rounds of the Formula BMW Americas Championship, beginning Saturday at Mosport International Raceway in Canada. His next scheduled Ford Focus event will be Sept. 19 at Madera Speedway.

Water polo training culminates with ‘Cove to Cove’

The Laguna Beach High boys’ water polo team will end its grueling two-week preseason training period with the annual “Cove to Cove” swim at 6 a.m. Sept. 4.

The Cove to Cove is a rigorous race, including seven miles of ocean swimming and running. The concept, unique to Laguna, was begun by former Coach Rick Scott in 1995.

In 6 a.m. pre-dawn shadows Sept. 4, Coach Ethan Damato and assistants Trevor Freemond and Trevor Lyle will coax the boys into the chilly waters of Crescent Bay. They’ll swim to Main Beach, around the buoy, then onto the sand for a run to the south end of the beach.

Back in the water, they’ll swim around the rocks and on to Moss Point. A quick towel off and drink of water follow, then its back on the road for another run and another swim to Crescent Bay.

So don’t be surprised to see some early-morning joggers in Speedos along Coast Highway. Or, come to Main Beach at 6:30 a.m. and cheer on the strong athletes.