Feb 13, 2014 3 min read

Second baseman C.J. Beatty, runner-up in the Frontier League’s MVP voting, re-signed with the Wild Things. The 25-year-old Beatty is coming off his best season at the professional level, setting personal bests with 18 home runs, 26 doubles, 65 runs, 96 games and 66 RBI.

Beatty batted .305 and started at second base in the Frontier League All-Star Game that was held at Consol Energy Park.

California University has named Dr. Karen Hjerpe as director of athletics.

Hjerpe, who has served as interim athletic director since December 2011, joined the California University athletics staff in 1993 as the head volleyball coach. She was named Senior Woman Administrator the following year.

Hjerpe coached the Vulcan volleyball team for five years (1993-1997) before being named athletic business manager. She was promoted to associate athletic director in 2003 while continuing to serve as Senior Woman Administrator and the Athletic Department’s compliance officer, with oversight in the areas of gender equity, scholarships, facilities, budgets and all aspects of athletic administration.

Olympic Gold Medalist water polo player Brenda Villa will be on the Washington & Jefferson College campus March 29 at 6 p.m. for a discussion about her life and development as one of the world’s top water polo athletes.

The discussion will take place in Room 114 of the Burnett Center and the 2003 Stanford graduate will describe her experience of balancing academics and athletics. Villa has played in four Olympic Games (2000 – silver, 2004 – bronze, 2008 – silver, 2012 – gold) for the United States and has competed professionally in Italy since 2008.

Villa’s appearance coincides with the 2014 CWPA Division III Tournament that will be held at Washington & Jefferson’s Henry Memorial Natatorium that weekend (Mar. 28-30). For more information, contact W&J head water polo coach Jay O’Neil at joneil@washjeff.edu.

Steve Wheatcroft, a former Washington native, shot an opening-round 72 to stand tied for 82nd in the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Championship in Bogota, Columbia on the Web.com tour.

Hugo Leon leads with a 66 but half the field did not finish the round because of inclement weather.

• Dustin Johnson moved down the coast of California and brought his game with him Thursday in the Northern Trust Open.

Johnson made six birdies on a warm, sunny day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead among the early starters. Francesco Molinari of Italy and Torrey Pines winner Scott Stallings were among those at 67.

• Norway’s Suzann Pettersen birdied her last three holes in a 6-under 66 on Thursday to lead the women’s Australian Open by a shot after the first round at the Victoria Golf Club.

Pettersen, winner of last year’s Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France.