San Marcos High School's Jordan Lund

San Marcos’ Jordan Lund was given the Phil Womble Ethics Award on Monday. For the first time, the recipient was given Phil Womble’s book, “Never Give Up,” with other prizes provided by luncheon sponsor Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.

“Wow, this is such an honor to receive this award,” Lund said after being introduced by her tennis coach Jarrod Bradley.

She thanked her parents, coaches, the San Marcos administration, and Phil Womble, who was in attendance, for their support.

Lund was the sophomore class president last year. This year Lund is the class vice president and played a leading role in putting together the fourth Kids Helping Kids benefit that just raised over $125,000 in charity on Saturday.

“She’s always complimentary to her opponents,” Bradley said. “We’re lucky to have her as a Royal.”

Santa Barbara High's Ivette Gil

Santa Barbara girls basketball coach Andrew Butcher was out and about the other day when he spotted his player Ivette Gil in front of a supermarket in Goleta doing some public service work.

Gil is one of the Dons’ impact players. She also makes a difference at school and in the community.

“She’s all over town doing amazing things outside of sports,” said Butcher.

Gil was honored Monday at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon as winner of this month’s Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award.

Butcher said Gil’s involvement in her community and school runs in the family.

“They are public servants for the community,” he said of her parents. “Sanjua and Pepe, they’ve done so many things for the school outside of basketball it’s just amazing. That’s just the way their family is and that’s the away Ivette is. It’s amazing.”

Said athletic director Nan Verkaik: “She lives the life devoted to others in the community. Whether it’s family or school, she’s always there willing to help with everything.”

Dos Pueblos' Haley Peterson

Dos Pueblos junior Haley Peterson was chosen the school’s winner of the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award.

DP cross country coach Leslie Wiggins Roth couldn’t say enough about Peterson.

“There really is no higher honor than being recognized for you character,” said Roth, who also was speaking for softball coach Lee Harris.

Peterson is a member of the cross country team, and she was the starting catcher on the Chargers’ CIF championship softball team last spring — she doubled in two runs in the championship game.

“She’s been a leader on the field of play since she arrived on the softball and cross country teams,” said Wiggins.

Besides athletics, Peterson is involved in several other activities at school. She is the feature editor of the school paper, The Charger Account, a member of the Usherettes, a two-year member of the national honor society and a member of the school’s Humanitarian Club. She’s been a part of two All-CIF All-Academic Teams in softball.

“She’s a great example to younger student-athletes on how to balance school and athletics,” Roth said. “She provides leadership and ethical behavior and support of her teams as well as every team and activity on campus. She devotes all her time being a Charger.

“She embodies what all of us coaches and teachers strive to teach our students on what it means to part of something great,” Roth added.

Carpinteria's Erin Saito

Carpinteria High School’s Erin Saito was recognized as the first Phil Womble Ethics in Sports award winner of the year on Monday.

Saito plays basketball, softball and tennis while remaining active in various student programs.

“Erin is a tremendous young lady,” explained Carpinteria High School teacher and basketball coach Dan Mercer. “She’s a great student-athlete. She’s a competitor and an outstanding teammate.”

Off the field, Gamble relishes in the act of giving — he gives his heart, mind and energy to try to make things better for others.

Laguna Blanca's Kai Gamble

For all he does for his school and the community, the Laguna Blanca junior on Monday was honored at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon as the recipient of the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award.

Gamble’s dedication to helping U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan is a great example of his selflessness. He founded the Santa Barbara Service for Soldiers Organization, which connects soliders in Afghanistan through letters and care packages.

He is currently is working on a benefit concert to support the Wounded Warrior Project of Operation Homefront, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance for military troops, the families they leave behind, and wounded warriors when they return home.

“What sets him apart,” Laguna Blanca Athletic Director Mike Biermann said, “for someone his age, he has an amazing, incredible heart, a giving heart. He lives by the motto: What can I do to make others’ lives better. He gets that from his parents, Ed and Naoko.”

Biermann said the Womble Award’s standards of being selfless, trustworthy and respectful “fit Kai to a T.”

The captain on the soccer and lacrosse teams, Gamble’s extracurricular activities don’t stop there. He serves as the ASB treasurer, is a member of the Laguna Blanca mock trial and debate teams and the engineering club. He’s been selected to the National Forensics League and was awarded the Jamie Harder Scholarship for Male Youth Leadership.

He also plays the violin and won a performing arts award in 2010.

Gamble takes Advanced Placement classes and carries a 3.85 grade point average.

Biermann feels fortunate to have an athlete of Gamble’s character and heart on campus.

“I’m glad you have one year left,” he said.

Gamble said his willingness to give to others comes from his parents.

“I like to thank my parents for instilling commitment, selfless service, determination and respect for others in me.” he said. “I hope to instill those qualities in younger athletes.”

UCSB baseball coach Bob Brontsema acknowledged the special signficance of the Womble Award.

“Kai, you’ve got a great award there,” Brontsema started. “Your resumé is pretty impressive, but I got to tell you an award with Phil Womble’s name on it, an ethics award, should be right at the top of your trophy case. That’s quite an accomplishment.”

Cate School's Lela Puckett

Bishop Diego's Paige Sleep

PHIL WOMBLE ETHICS IN SPORTS AWARD

Former Round Table President Dave Pintard fought off some sniffles at the podium to present the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award to two recipients on Monday. Cate School’s Lela Puckett and Bishop Diego’s Paige Sleep were nominated by their schools for their outstanding leadership qualities and sportsmanship.

Puckett, accompanied by Cate Athletic Director Wade Ransom, thanked her coaches, Ransom and her family back in Amarillo, Texas for their support.

“Thanks to the Round Table for presenting me with this prestigious award,” Puckett said.

Sleep’s contributions at Bishop are many, and Pintard pointed out that Paige wasn’t the first in the family to receive the Womble Award. The junior has eight varsity letters and has been active in theatre at school.

“I’m truly honored to get this award and thank you to my parents especially, and to those of you who nominated me,” Sleep said.

Kelsey Drain

Carpinteria girls soccer coach Lucy Carleton fondly remembered when junior defender Kelsey Drain was playing on her youth soccer team.

“It’s been my pleasure to coach her since she’s this big,” Carleton said as she positioned her right hand about waist high, “and she used to give me hugs on my legs.”

Now, Drain is considered a “beast” for her toughness and all-around solid play for the Warriors on the soccer pitch.

“The girls mean this as a high compliment, that she is a force of nature,” Carleton explained. “She is someone to be reckoned with. Last year one of the seniors on the team, a very fine athlete herself, gave this sophomore the nickname ‘Ironwoman’ because she is just a tough-as-nails defender.

“Of course, as a coach I love the fact she has strength, speed, endurance and skills,” Carleton added. “What I appreciate the most about Kelsey is the reason she won this award, that she may be a beast on the field, but she is never beastly. She’s unfailingly polite. She is encouraging of her teammates. She always demonstrates good sportsmanship.”

Drain was the recipient of the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Awards, which is presented to a high school junior athlete who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, great work ethic and great character.

The legendary Womble was on hand to see Drain accept the award.

“Her hard work and determination are infectious and she encourages everybody around her to be better,” presenter Dave Pintard said of Drain, who also runs cross country and competes on the track team.

Carleton noted that Drain is her fourth Womble Award-winning soccer player in the last five years.

“I’m honored that women of good moral character choose to play soccer at Carpinteria High School. It’s really impressive.”

Drain possesses an impressive 4.71 grade-point average and is the regional vice president of the Future Farmers of America.

She was joined at the luncheon by her family, parents Matt and Kim, and grandparents Jim and Jane.

Annie Thwing

PHIL WOMBLE ETHICS AWARD, ANNIE THWING

Annie Thwing is a standout on the San Marcos cross country and track teams for more than just her athletic prowess.

“Annie’s somebody who is just the epitome of sportsmanship, leadership, great work ethic and great character. Whenever she’s out there she’s someone who we can completely depend on to get the job done and have a positive attitude about it,” said her coach, Brook Bauer. “I’m very proud of her for getting this award.”

Bauer added that whether she wins or loses, Thwing is the type of competitor who interacts with opponents after meets, and that everyone respects her for it. Thwing thanked the Round Table, her parents and her coaches.

Santa Barbara High's Spencer Mikles

Spencer Mikles, Santa Barbara High

Mikles was a member of the Dons’ golf squad which won a State Championship last season and is also a starting guard on the basketball team. He carries a 4.3 GPA and is taking three AP classes. His golf coach, James Bedard, used an anecdote about Mikles and the award’s namesake to illustrate his character. Womble, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, was at a luncheon last year which the Dons golf team was attending. There are two large skylights in the Ranchero Room, and the sun was beating down on Womble’s head. Mikles had a hat on, and promptly went over and gave it to Womble.

“It was one of those things… He didn’t even think twice about it, and it just showed the character that he has and the type of person that he is,” said Bedard.

Dos Pueblos Athletic Director Dan Feldhaus, right, with Josh Bartley at Monday's luncheon

PHIL WOMBLE ETHICS AWARD

Josh Bartley, Dos Pueblos — The award’s namesake was on hand to see it given to Bartley, a junior running back and track star at Dos Pueblos. Barley, who won Athlete of the Week honors two weeks ago, was described as a quiet leader to his teammates who always sets a good example. He carries a GOA over 3.25.

“We’re very proud of Josh. He’s not only a great athlete; he’s a great kid,” said Feldhaus.

Bartley thanked his parents, Henry and Della, who were in attendance along with his godmother Martha