Briefs: Dent in a huge match

Former Corona del Mar High standout Taylor Dent will face No. 3-seeded Novak Djokovic today in the second round at Wimbledon.

Dent defeated Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 7-5, in the first round.

He also previously won three qualifying matches to reach the main draw.

Beating Chela, who is ranked No. 50 in the world, already qualified as a minor upset for Dent. He is currently ranked No. 96 but has been ranked as high as No. 21, in 2005.

Dent is in his seventh Wimbledon and has made it past the first round for the fifth time.

The winner of today's match will face either No. 28-seeded Albert Montanes of Spain, or American Brendan Evans, in the third round.

Djokovic is a former Wimbledon semifinalist, but needed five sets to get past Olivier Rochus of Belgium in the first round Monday.

— From staff reports

Chin in Ireland

John Chin, who earned Big West Conference Golfer of the Year honors in 2010 as a UC Irvine senior, represents Team USA at the 14th Palmer Cup, Thursday through Saturday in Northern Ireland.

This year's Ryder Cup-style competition between eight men's players from the United States and eight from Europe, is being held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Thursday's play featues four-ball in the morning and foursomes in the afternoon. Friday and Saturday will feature singles play.

Chin, a first-team All-American and member of the All-Nicklaus Team in 2010, finished ranked first in the golfstat Cup and second in the Golfweek/Sagarin ratings.

He was conference Golfer of the Year three times and captured the conference tournament championship twice.

— From staff reports

Local polo trio qualifies for JOs

Newport Beach's Jackson Seybold III, Bennie Seybold and Connor Turnbow-Lindenstadt recently helped the Orange County Water Polo Club's boys' 12-and-under team qualify for the Junior Olympics.

The OCWPC 12s, coached by Justin Kroeze, placed first in the Southern Pacific Zone qualifying, held in May at pools in Ontario and Corona.

Jackson Seybold is a two-meter player, Bennie Seybold plays point and Turnbow-Lindenstadt is a driver. Bennie Seybold was also named to the all-tournament team at the recent San Diego County Cup, at which OCWPC placed second.

The national Junior Olympics are July 31-Aug. 3 at as-yet unannounced venues in the Los Angeles area. The OCWPC boys' 12s, as one of the top teams in the state, have an excellent chance to medal.

— From staff reports