10 Budding Jim McKays Picked for ‘Sports Kids’ TV

The 10 anchors for the new “Sports Kids” TV program for children have been announced by Irvine-based American Kids Sports Assn., organizers of the planned weekly show.

Selected from among more than 1,000 children, ages 9 to 12, who auditioned for the program were: Laurel Hafer, 9, Newport Beach; Amy Katcherian, 9, Irvine; David Reznik, 10, Newport Beach; Lee Gayle, 10, West Covina, and Sarah Reichert, 11, Huntington Beach.

Also chosen were: Matthew Barcellona, 11, Huntington Beach; Julie Lehman, 11, Irvine; Justin Equitz, 11, Anaheim; Brooke Olsen (niece of sports announcer and former Rams star Merlin Olsen), 11, Irvine, and Tammy Foster, 12, Big Bear Lake.

T.J. Ballard, 9, of Costa Mesa was also selected to work behind the scenes on technical aspects.

The 11 were chosen from among 31 finalists who took part in a 3-week “broadcaster school.” They will begin training in broadcast journalism in preparation for their first assignments, planned for June.

“Sports Kids” will use a format styled after “Wide World of Sports” to showcase youth sports events around the world. Details about the program, planned for national broadcast, are to be announced April 16 at a black-tie reception that will include a performance by the Beach Boys.