Briefs

Sailors’ Lucas to USC

Newport Harbor High senior Zach Lucas, a two-time All-CIF Southern Section performer for the Sailors’ boys’ water polo team, has committed to continue his career at USC, his mother, Mary Pat Lucas, said Monday.

Zach Lucas, a first-team All-CIF Division I performer in 2009, who was a second-team honoree as a junior, led the Tars with 77 steals and 56 assists. The utility player also contributed 55 goals to help Coach Jason Lynch’s squad reach the CIF Division I final.

Lucas, noted for his defense, was also a two-time Newport-Mesa Dream Team pick and was twice first-team All-Sunset League.

— From staff reports

’Eaters gain rankings

UC Irvine is ranked No. 7 in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 baseball coaches’ poll, and No. 10 in polls produced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Assn. and Rivals.com.

UCI, ranked No. 8 in the preseason by Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America, went 45-15 last season, winning its first Big West Conference crown and earning its first No. 1 national ranking.

Coach Mike Gillespie’s Anteaters return 17 lettermen, including All-Americans pitchers Danny Bibona, Eric Pettis and Christian Bergman.

UCI’s incoming recruiting class was ranked No. 31 by Collegiate Baseball.

The Anteaters open the season at home against Loyola Marymount, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m.

— From staff reports

UCI’s All-American duo

UC Irvine junior Brandon Johnson and senior Tom Kruip have been named second- and third-team All-American, respectively, by the Assn. of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.

The duo helped the Anteaters’ men’s team finish 17-12 and earn fifth place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament. UCI was ranked No. 5 in the final national poll.

Johnson, a second-team All-MPSF performer, had 49 goals in 2009, one fewer than Kruip, who led the team.

Senior Cole Bielskis, who had 48 goals, received honorable mention in the voting.

— From staff reports