Twenty Years Later, Curren Wins Again at Trestles

Three-time world champion Tom Curren came from behind Saturday to defeat Shea Lopez in the closing seconds of the Quiksilver Pro finals at Lower Trestles.

Lopez, ranked No. 16 on the Assn. of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour, held the lead throughout most of the final, but Ventura’s Curren made a late move and clinched the victory on the last wave of the event.

Curren, who won his first professional surfing event at Lower Trestles 20 years ago, finished with 22.85 points. Florida’s Lopez was second with 22.65. Laguna Beach’s Pat O’Connell (21.10) was third and Huntington Beach’s Jeff Deffenbaugh (20.60) finished fourth.

Randy Welsh (18.75) won the Quiksilver Aerial Pro, ahead of Gavin Sutherland (17.40), Joe Crimo (13.65) and Dave Post (6.25).

BASKETBALL

J.J. Sola of Fullerton College has signed with Drake University, Fullerton Coach Dieter Horton said.

Sola, a 6-foot-7, 225-pound graduate of Capistrano Valley High, averaged 18.2 points and 7.4 rebounds for Fullerton this season and was a first-team All-Orange Empire Conference selection.

Kim Martin, a 6-foot forward from Spring Valley Mount Miguel High, has signed to play at UC Irvine.

Martin was a San Diego Section Division I first-team selection. She also played volleyball for Mount Miguel and was named All-Grossmont League.

PREPS

The Southern Section has approved the creation of the San Joaquin League, which will include Tarbut V’Torah, Saddleback Valley Christian, Acaciawood, St. Michael’s Prep, Connolly and Fairmont, beginning with the 2001-02 school year.

“It’s a nice fit for everyone,� Tarbut V’Torah boys’ basketball Coach Patrick Roberts said. “I think it will be very competitive.�

SOCCER

Newport Harbor’s Trey Meek has signed to play soccer with Indiana, his father Howard said.

Meek was the Sailors’ leading scorer this season and an All-Sea View League selection.