Walker Bronzed by Golden League

Antelope Valley’s Tony Walker was chosen player of the year in the Golden League.

Walker, a senior three-year starter, was a standout on offense and defense. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards at running back and had four interceptions at free safety.

His 20 touchdowns helped the Antelopes earn a share of the league championship and reach the semifinals of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Senior quarterback Jeremy Coleman of Palmdale was selected as the league’s back of the year and senior nose guard Jacob Waasdorp of Quartz Hill was named lineman of the year.

Soccer

Greg Avila, the Kennedy High soccer player whose recent illegal participation resulted in the Golden Cougars forfeiting two victories and a tie, has been cleared to play in varsity matches.

On Dec. 5, Avila, who lives in the Kennedy attendance area but attended Chaminade the last two years, was denied a waiver of Rule 214 regarding transfers by the City Section Rules Committee.

On Thursday, Avila’s family appealed successfully at the office of Jeri Durham, Los Angeles Unified School District administrator in charge of athletics.

“[Avila’s] mother brought additional information for us to consider,” Durham said.

Durham said that since Avila was ineligible when he played in three Burroughs tournament matches on Dec. 6-7, Kennedy’s forfeits will stand.

Kennedy Coach Fred Singer said he told Avila that he was eligible to play because junior varsity players are generally allowed to play for the varsity in tournaments.

However, Avila had been restricted to junior varsity play by the rules committee.

“I was wrong,” Singer said. “I blame only myself for not checking with the [Kennedy] administration.”

Kennedy has forfeited nine victories and a tie during the past three seasons for the use of ineligible players.

Volleyball

Lian Lu of the Cal State Northridge women’s team was named the Big Sky Conference’s coach of the year.

Lu guided the Matadors to a 16-0 regular-season record in their first season in the conference and to the championship of the conference tournament.

Basketball

As expected, tests on Cal State Northridge center Maya Muzurovic disclosed a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. She will use a redshirt season.

Muzurovic, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Belgrade, Serbia, injured her knee in practice Tuesday.

She is the third frontcourt player for the Matadors to suffer a season-ending knee injury, following Neda Milic and Sherry Ramirez.