Fountain Valley senior Elizabeth Coe, the 2006 Division I state champion in cross country, has signed a letter of intent with Pepperdine, becoming the first female athlete to receive a cross county scholarship at the school, according to her former coach, Barry Migliorini.

Despite being slowed by a foot injury throughout this past season, Coe was a second-team All-County selection, finishing fourth at both the Orange County Championships and the Sunset League Finals.

The Barons won their fourth consecutive Sunset League championship and finished seventh in Division I at the CIF State championships.

Coe will be reunited with her sister Mollie, who graduated from Fountain Valley in 2007 and is a member of Pepperdine's cross country team.

Barons senior Nicole Giove signed her letter of intent to run at the University of Santa Clara.

JASON EICHELBERGER/OCVaristy.com

OKA FUNDRAISER

Newport Harbor will hold a swim-a-thon fundraiser Saturday for former Sailors water polo player Matt Oka, 22, who suffered a spinal-cord injury in July along the Newport Beach coast.

The swim-a-thon starts at 9 a.m. and runs until noon. The proceeds will benefit Oka, who also swam at USC.

Participants can download a sponsor sheet at: www.newportharboraquatics.org.

Donations also can be made by check payable to "NHHS — Matt Oka swim a thon."

For more information, contact Mary Pat Robinson at mp@newportharboraquatics.org.

DAN ALBANO/OCVarsity.com

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com