Coach Molly Imel (in blue shirt) with Erin Ristig.

Dos Pueblos soccer and track star Erin Ristig is the recipient of the last Phil Womble Ethics Award of the year. Her parents, Dave and Eileen, were at the luncheon to see her honored. Ristig, a junior, carries a GPA over 4.0 and is a leader in both sports she plays even though she is not as vocal as many of her teammates.

“I encourage my athletes to learn the definition of integrity and to live it. I look straight to Erin for this example,” said her soccer coach, Molly Imel.

McAlister, who hopes to attend either USC or Stanford, has started all three years as a forward on the team and is also an avid equestrian.

“There is no one who displays the character of the Phil Womble Award more than Lauren McAlister,” said Athletic Director Mike Biermann.

Biermann specifically recalled a game in which the Owls cleared the bench after going up 5-0. The only starter who stayed in was McAlister, and from the sidelines Biermann was able to see how much of a leader she is, instructing her younger teammates.

She also had the Owls’ only goal in Friday’s loss to top-ranked CAMS at the Home Depot Center.

Lauren McAlister

He holds a 3.5 GPA and, most importantly, serves as a role model and mentor for younger students.

“It was a no-brainer on who to give this award to today,” said Athletic Director Wade Ransom. “He stands apart in the choices that he makes.”

Ransom said that on three separate occasions officials have come up to him just to compliment Mauze’s sportsmanship, as he always shows respect for the other team and helps people up.

“As teachers, it’s students like Jackson that make us do what we do,” said Ransom.

Jackson Mauze and Wade Ransom

“Coach, you know that soccer is not my sport.  There’s way too much running and it will take my time away from baseball.  But since I know we don’t have enough guys and the team needs me to play, I will.”

He’s now the starting goalie for the Cardinals, who are 3-0-2. He was voted MVP of the baseball team as a sophomore last year despite the roster being full of seniors, and made the Tri-Valley League’s First Team. He carries a 3.86 GPA and is a member of the school’s ambassador program.

His parents, Dan and Nancy, were there to proudly watch Cody receive the award.

Bishop Diego's Cody Yokubaitis

“She’s not very big, but she buzzes around all over the place and makes everyone smile,” said Ward, who is also the school’s athletic director.

Dunlap’s mother was there to watch proudly. Unfortunately, Dunlap’s father, who spent numerous years coaching her in athletics, passed away in 2006.

“Shelby’s made all the right choices since then, and she’s living her father’s legacy,” said Ward.

Added John Moore later: “I would be proud to be your dad, Shelby… He would be very proud of you.”

Scholar Athlete of the Year Amanda Burch, mentioned previously as a key scorer for the Carpinteria girls basketball team, also scores off the charts in the classroom. She carries a 4.67 GPA, and there are no fluff courses on her menu (AP Claculus, AP English, AP Chemistry and AP Government).

She is ranked fourth in her class, and she also finds time to tutor her peers. Athletically, she is accomplished in hoops, track, tennis, cross-country and even roller hockey.

She volunteers with the Special Olympics among many other activities.

“Well, they just don’t come any better,” said coach Dan Mercer.

Amanda Burch

Shelby Dunlap

According to San Marcos volleyball coach Roger Kuntz, Johnny Manzo is “the package.”

Manzo, a junior volleyball and basketball player for the Royals, received heaps of praise from Kuntz, hoops coach Jarrod Bradley and principal Norm Clevenger at the luncheon before stepping up to the podium himself.

“It’s important to treat others how you want to be treated, not only in sports but in life. It makes a big difference,” he said.

His proud parents, Susan and Louis, as well as his grandmother were present to watch him receive the prestigious award.

“I would expect you’ll see him come back next year for the academic (scholar-athlete) award,” said Bradley.

Johnny Manzo

But Santa Barbara Athletic Director Nan Verkaik and coach Gannon kept their descriptions short and sweet when discussing Villanueva, who blushed as she stood waiting for her award.

“She’s just an all-around great girl,” wrote Verkaik in a note provided to Gannon.

“She’s everything you could ask for in a teammate,” added the coach.

WOMBLE ETHICS AWARD — REBECCA NEILSEN-ROBBINS

Neilsen-Robbins, who pitches for the Santa Barbara Dons softball team, carries a 4.76 GPA and is the editor of SBHS’s school paper, The Forge. On the side, the Junior Statesman of America wants to attend Stanford or Cal Berkeley and is also a board member for the organization Youth Making Change.

WILL McCRACKEN – DOS PUEBLOS VOLLEYBALL

McCracken, a junior setter on the DP boys volleyball team, carried a 3.5 GPA and has logged over 500 hours of community service. He is eager to help teammates and fellow students, and is a fixture at Charger sporting events, whether it is as a fan or an assistant, which he was for the freshman girls spikers this fall. Much of his volunteering is done at Transition House, which provides shelter and services for homeless families.

“The setter’s job is to make other people look good,” said coach Chris Hughes. “He’s a very good setter, and the best thing is that he’s humble about it.”

As if that doesn’t make him busy enough, he volunteers at the Ty Warner Sea Center and helps refurbish bicycles to give to the needy during the holidays.