Sidwell Steps Down at Chatsworth

Coach Jack Sidwell, who started the girls’ soccer program at Chatsworth High and guided the Chancellors to nine City Section championships in 11 years, will retire.

Sidwell leaves a program that has won the last four City championships.

No replacement has been named.

BASKETBALL

* Jay Werner, boys’ coach at Poly High, has resigned to accept a position as an assistant coach at Valley College.

No replacement has been named.

Werner will retain his full-time teaching position at Poly.

FOOTBALL

* Quarterback Gabe Portilla of Thousand Oaks has committed to Ohio Wesleyan, an NCAA Division III school.

SOFTBALL

* Players are being sought for Team Geronimo’s Renegades, an 18-and-under fastpitch team.

A tryout is scheduled for noon-4 p.m. Sunday at El Cariso Park in Sylmar.

Information: (818) 361-1701 or (805) 273-4967.

* Tryouts for the Magic 18-and-under fastpitch team will take place this weekend.

Information, Gary Finkelstein, (818) 342-0145.

AUTO RACING

The Sprint Car Racing Assn. series will make its first of three stops this year at Ventura Raceway on Saturday.

Cory Kruseman of Ventura ranks third in the SCRA points standings with 638 points. He trails Richard Griffin of Silver City, N.M., who has 775 points, and Troy Cline of Hawthorne, who is at 702.

CYCLING

Encino Velodrome’s third night of competitive bicycle racing in the 1999 season is scheduled for Saturday.