BRIEFS:UCI adds former Tar Heel

UCI ADDS FLETCHER

UC Irvine women’s soccer coach Scott Juniper has named Kendall Fletcher an assistant coach.

Fletcher joins Juniper and assistant Justin Neerhof as they prepare for the 2007 fall season.

Fletcher comes to Irvine from the University of North Carolina, from which she graduated in December, 2006. Fletcher played on the UNC women’s soccer team from 2002-05. During her career as a Tar Heel she won three ACC championships and started on the back line of the 2003 team that went 27-0 and won the NCAA title.

Fletcher was also a member of the under-19 women’s national team that won the first ever U-19 World Cup in 2002. Fletcher has also been to two Nordic Cup Championships with the U-21 national team, winning the championship in 2005 and acting as the team captain in 2006.

Fletcher is also a member of the U.S. women’s national team player pool. She has trained with the team during residency this past year. Kendall is still actively pursuing her playing career as she hopes to make a run for the Olympic team roster in 2008.

“[Fletcher is] an excellent addition to our staff who will compliment Justin and myself extremely well,” Juniper said. “She is a great role model for our players in every way and is passing on her knowledge and experiences to the team every day. Her passion for the game is infectious, her energy is endless and her hugely competitive spirit is contributing to a special culture we are building here in the UC Irvine women’s soccer program.”

— From staff reports

WEGNER TO HOST CLINICS

Tennis teacher Oscar Wegner is coming to Irvine from June 15-17 to teach clinics based on his famous Modern Tennis Methodology (MTM).

Wegner will be hosting an on-court coaching symposium on Friday, June 15 from 6-9 p.m. at Bill Barber Park in Irvine. There is a $25 fee, but all MTM-certified coaches get in free. E-mail eztennisswing@yahoo.com for further information.

Wegner will also teach a three-hour clinic on Saturday, June 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at Estancia High. Children ages 4-12 are invited. The fee is $30. Attendance is limited due to court space.

Children ages 13-18 will also have a clinic on June 16 and 17, from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at 3 p.m., there will be a mini-ladder tournament divided by levels and prizes will be given. Cost is $50 for Newport-Mesa Unified School District students and $70 for all other students.

The clinics will be hosted by Calvary Chapel High boys’ tennis coach John Staph and Estancia High boys’ and girls’ tennis coach Rachel de los Santos. They are first-come, first-served and have limited registration space. To register, contact Staph at (714) -585-7404 or eztennisswing@yahoo.com.

— From staff reports