Students shine at Les Miller event

Brown, who also goes by Christy, was also honored as one of four from Estancia who won a Les Miller Outstanding Student Award (another four from Costa Mesa earned the award). Brown, who has a 4.34 GPA, excelled in tennis and soccer. She announced she'll attend UCLA. She'll stay in the same dorm area as Knapp, the standout golfer who has pro aspirations.

Curet, who competed in football, basketball and baseball at Costa Mesa, is headed to Chapman University to play football and study business and entrepreneurship.

"I think it's important for the community," Brown said of the CMU award. "Obviously, there is a huge rivalry between Costa Mesa and Estancia. It's a blast to have that rivalry, but it's also good in the end to have a united front."

All four said they were honored to be the first to win.

"I feel really privileged," Curet said. "I feel I have the great opportunity to give Costa Mesa a good reputation for winning the award for the first time. It's really exciting."

The award was also special for Knapp, who has enjoyed a tremendous week. His grandfather, Gordon Bowley, a CMU board member, presented him with the award.

On Monday, Knapp won the CIF Southern Section Southern Individual Regional title. He was presented with the Mayor's Award at the City Council meeting Tuesday night. On Wednesday, he shot a 10-under-par 61, one shot off the course record at Newport Beach Country Club, to win the U.S. Open local qualifier. It is the lowest score in the nation at any U.S. Open qualifier.

He said he'll skip prom to prepare for the U.S. Open sectional qualifier June 4, to try to land a spot in the major event June 14 to 17 at Olympic Golf Club in San Francisco.

"You have to chase what you want to do," he said. "These are the sacrifices you make."

steve.virgen@latimes.com

Twitter: @SteveVirgen