Briefs: Lofgren helps U.S. win gold

Esther Lofgren, a Newport Harbor High product, was part of the U.S. women’s eight’s exciting victory to win to win gold at the Rowing World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland Sunday.

The U.S. women’s were one of three American teams to win a medal and the only one to win gold.

The U.S. came from behind in the final 100 meters of the women’s eight race to win gold by 0.2 seconds over Canada. The Canadian crew, coming off a win at the Henley Royal Regatta, got out to an early lead and maintained half of a boat length on the U.S. and Great Britain through the body of the race. Great Britain fell back in the last 500 meters, while the U.S. and Canada went stroke-for-stroke to the line.

Lofgren (stroke) helped the U.S. women’s eight post a winning time of 6 minutes, 12.19 seconds, a bow ball ahead of Canada’s 6:12.39.

— From staff reports

UCI’s Jock Wins 800 Meters

MIRAMAR, Fla. — UC Irvine All-American Charles Jock won the 800 meters in record fashion Sunday at the North American, Central American and Caribbean U-23 Track & Field Championships in Miramar, Fla.

Jock, competing for Team USA, placed first with a time of 1 minute, 45.65 seconds at the Ansin Sports Complex, setting the UCI record for the fifth time this year and eclipsing the NACAC meet record of 1:48.19 set by Canada’s Achraf Tadili in 2002.

Jock won the race by over two seconds at the biennial meet. Aaron Evans of Bermuda finished second in 1:47.79 and Garvin Nero of Trinidad and Tobago was third in 1:48.16. USA teammate Cory Primm (UCLA) placed fifth in 1:49.04.

Jock, who finished seventh in the 800 at the USA Championships last month, broke his previous school record of 1:46.17 that he set in the semifinals at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore., in June.

The Big West Conference 800 champion and Athlete of the Year in men’s track initially set the UCI record in March when he broke three-time Olympian Steve Scott’s 32-year-old school mark. Jock will be a junior at UCI this fall.

The NACAC under-23 meet includes athletes representing 32 member nations.

— From staff reports

OCC camp offered

Orange Coast College men’s basketball coach Steve Spencer will head the OCC Skills Basketball Camp, for boys and girls ages 7 to 17 from July 26 through 30 at the OCC gym.

Daily sessions for campers ages 7 through 12 will be from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sessions for ages 13 to 17 will be from 1 to 4 p.m.

Participants will receive instruction in fundamentals and competitiveness in a positive learning atmosphere. Fee is $125 for each camper, and $75 for an additional sibling.

A Camp T-shirt is included, but participants should wear basketball shoes, a T-shirt and shorts and also bring a water bottle.

OCC men’s assistant coaches Duy Tran and Steve Tamanaha will also provide instruction.

To register: https://www.occtickets.com or call (714) 432-5333, then press one and be prepared to provide credit card information.

— From staff reports