Baker Johnson

Stamatia Scarvelis

Stamatia Scarvelis and Baker Johnson were announced as Athletes of the Week at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, the last lunch gathering of the 2012-13 school year.

Scarvelis, a track & field standout from Dos Pueblos High School, recorded a personal best in the shot put at Saturday’s CIF Division 2 Preliminary Meet at Moorpark High School. The distance of 50 feet, 4 1/2 inches is the farthest throw in California this season and earned Scarvelis the top seed in this weekend’s CIF-ss Track & Field Championships.

Scarvelis also placed second in the discus at Prelims with a throw of 156’9 1/2″.

Johnson led San Marcos’ boys volleyball team to three CIF wins last week and a berth in the Division 2 semifinals.

Johnson totaled 56 kills in the three matches, including a 23-kill performance in Saturday’s sweep of Oaks Christian. Johnson committed just one error with a hitting percentage of .692 in the quarterfinal match.

Honorable Mentions are: Alex Valente, Dos Pueblos Swimming; Ryan Worley, Santa Barbara High Volleyball; Bryan Fernandez, Dos Pueblos Cross Country; Charlie Holyoke, SBCC Golf; Chloe Madill, Dos Pueblos Softball; Caroline Vance, San Marcos Track & Field; Ashlynd Williams, Bishop Diego Softball; Irene Kujore, UCSB Track & Field.

Cate’s Chloe King

Cate School’s Chloe King was recognized at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon as a Phil Womble Award recipient.

The Round Table presents the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award to student-athletes who demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. Each school selects a junior on an annual basis.

King is a three-sport athlete at Cate, participating in cross country, water polo and swimming. Outside of athletics, King has earned her pilots license, plays the violin, and has been named to be the editor in chief of the school newspaper for her senior year.

“The Womble Award is a fitting tribute to Chloe because of her academic passion in government affairs and equality,” said award presenter Bob Archer.

Cate Athletic Director Wade Ransom commended King.

“The three-sport athlete is a dying breed and I think in terms of the Womble award, it’s totally fitting (to recognize King) because here’s a kid that puts the needs of our school and our athletic program ahead of possibly specializing and doing her own thing and concentrating on one area,” Ransom said. “We’re really lucky because she gets to have an impact on all three seasons, on all three teams that she’s on. Her passion for government and politics is also fitting for this award because making sure that everyone has an equal voice in our community is one of her top priorities.”

For Santa Barbara High aquatics coach Mark Walsh, the Channel League Swimming & Diving Championships is one of his favorite events because his whole team is involved and just about everyone swims a personal best.

“When I left, I felt like we’d won because when every single kid swims their best time, like how can you lose?” Walsh said.

The Dons boys finished third and the girls were second.

The five seniors Walsh brought to the luncheon have advanced to CIF Prelims on Thursday. Dana Sloan, Kelsey O’Brien and Sophie Trabucco on the girls team and Cristian Bridley and Tarry Burkhardt for the boys.

Dos Pueblos aquatics coach Chris Parrish was able to bring four athletes who competed in the league finals: Walker Bell, Graham Young, Paige Pighetti and Shannon Cleary.

“Like Coach Walsh was talking about, Even if you don’t place well and you’re posting those PRs, it’s a fantastic meet,” Parrish said.

San Marcos coach Brian Roth was in Honduras for a wedding while the finals were happening but stayed in communication with his team from the beach.
With Roth was Megan Bergthold and Kate Coski.

The baseball teams in the room were still busy with their regular seasons.

UCSB was coming off a dramatic win over UC Irvine that gave them their fourth series win in the past five tries. Joey Epperson delivered a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday.

“It’s amazing how one swing of the bat can change how your food tastes, how excited you are to get up in the morning the next day,” said Gauchos head coach Andrew Checketts.
Luke Coffey, Joel Corona and the Dos Pueblos Chargers need to win one of two games this week against Santa Barbara to win its second straight league championship.

Carpinteria will get playoff ready with its final two regular-season games coming against first-place Malibu. The Warriors are in second place but too far back to win a title. Duncan Gordon was at the luncheon a week after going 6-for-8 with a home run and two doubles. Mo Sanchez also made the trip.

Bishop Diego volleyball coach Jason Donnelly introduced his players Jose del Campo and Luca Jordano, and baseball players Jacob Salcedo and John Rios.
The Cardinals are competing in Division 2 this postseason alongside powerhouses Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos.

Royals head coach Roger Kuntz brought several players who are backups this year but big-time contributors: Joe Terre, Noah Shields, Nick Maynor and Jake Pighetti.
The boys volleyball teams begin playoffs tomorrow.

Erika Miller was named Special Olympics Athlete of the Month. Miller excels at bocce ball and won a gold medal recently in Santa Paula. Miller went to Foothill Community College and is a 12-year veteran of Special Olympics.

Rachel Nelson of UCSB was recognized as the Gauchos’ Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The water polo player holds a GPA of 3.92 as a three-time Big West Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Nelson is a biological sciences major who plans to go to med school.

“Rachel I want to thank you for, No. 1, leaving the legacy for the players behind you – who are very young on our team – of work ethic, perseverance, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Gauchos water polo coach Cathy Neushul. “And also thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life for the past four years. It was truly a pleasure.”

Next week is the final press luncheon of the school year. The end of the year Hall-of-Fame Banquet is Monday, May 20.

Santa Barbara High’s Kelsey O’Brien

Santa Barbara High’s Jonathan Collins and Kelsey O’Brien were named Athletes of the Week at Monday’s Athletic Round Table press luncheon.

Collins was the medalist at last week’s Channel League Individual Boys Golf Tournament. The Dons senior carded a six-under 66 at Soule Park on the second day to run away with the title. He finished a total of nine-under par with a total of 135.

“I am really proud of the way Jonathan played these last two days,” said Dons head coach James Bedard at the time. “He really wanted to go out and perform and win this event. He is playing great right now and at the perfect time.”

Collins was not in attendance because the team was competing in the Northern Area CIF Team Regional on Monday.

O’Brien was a force for the Dons at the Channel League Swimming & Diving Championships. The senior won individual titles in the 50 and 100 freestyle. O’Brien anchored two winning relay teams in the 200 and 400 free, posting the fastest split in both races.

The 200 free relay team set a new meet record with a time of 1:39.10.

O’Brien was also an Athlete of the Week in January for water polo.

Honorable Mentions were Duncan Gordon, Carpinteria Baseball; Robby Nesovic, UCSB Baseball; Alex Valente, Dos Pueblos Swimming; Graham Maassen, Santa Barbara High Tennis; Connor McManigal, Santa Barbara High Baseball; Derek Masterson, UCSB Track & Field; Joey Epperson, UCSB Baseball; Emma Redick, Dos Pueblos Track & Field; Catalina Maldonado, Carpinteria Softball; Janelle Nguyen, Dos Pueblos Swimming; Sami Stark, UCSB Softball.

Talia Van Wingerden

Talia Van Wingerden was recognized as the the Phil Womble Award winner for Bishop Diego at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon on Monday.

The Round Table presents the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award to student-athletes who demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and sportsmanship. Each school selects a junior on an annual basis.

Van Wingerden plays softball and volleyball at Bishop Diego.

“I think one of her strongest assets, and what makes her perfect for this award, is her ability to do things the right way without having to be told,” said Bishop Diego coach Jason Donnelly.

“Talia’s a great teammate who always inspires those around her.”

Van Wingerden thanked her parents, coaches, Bishop Diego administrators, her teammates, Phil Womble and the Round Table for the award.

Elysia Hodges

Christian Widmer

San Marcos volleyball player Christian Widmer and Westmont Track & Field runner Elysia Hodges were named Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athletes of the Week on Monday.

Widmer led the Royals to a pair of huge Channel League victories last week to remain in the hunt for a league championship. Widmer amassed 51 assists in a clutch five-set win over first-place Santa Barbara and averaged 12 assists per set for the week.

Widmer is a left-handed 6’2″ junior setter for San Marcos.

“He leads our show and our show has been doing well as a result of that,” said Royals head coach Roger Kuntz of Widmer.

Hodges is coming off a record-setting day at the GSAC Championships.  Warriors head coach Russell Smelley took two minutes to recount all of Hodges’ accomplishments on Saturday.

“Elysia is a fiery competitor. She does not like to lose,” Smelley explained.

Hodges, a San Marcos High School graduate, won three GSAC titles including a double in the 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles. The sophomore was also a member of the 4×400 relay team that broke a GSAC record while qualifying for NAIA Nationals. Hodges’ time of 54.71 in the 400 meters was a personal best and again lowered her Westmont school record in that event.

Honorable Mentions included Ziad Sultan, UCSB Tennis; Rodrigo Schaefer, Westmont Tennis; Cliff Lekas, SBCC Track & Field; Ben Kingsley, Westmont Track & Field; Spencer Ekola, Bishop Diego Tennis; Olivia Smith, San Marcos Swimming; Bruna Magalhaes, SBCC Tennis.

None of the players could make the trip, so Moore introduced a new one.

Sydney Hedges, the CIF Player of the Year for Providence Hall’s championship girls basketball team, announced for the first time that she will be attending Westmont for the next step in her playing career.

“I’m just really excited to say that I get to continue to live in this awesome community of Santa Barbara, just now as a Westmont Warrior,” Hedges said.

Hedges’ announcement was the encore performance to Moore’s talk, which encompassed her team’s incredible season. It ended a month ago with an NAIA Championship trophy and a Hollywood ending to an emotional journey.

The story is so powerful that it was told on the front page of the L.A. Times by columnist Bill Plaschke.

“I know that it’s because of the community support that you gave me personally but also you gave our entire program, you played a big role in us winning,” Moore said.

The Warriors won five games in six days while in Kentucky to secure the national title.

“Our girls were at their best when the best was needed,” Moore said of the championship run.

Monday’s special award winners were Athletes of the Week Joshua Yaro and Emma Redick, plus Scholar-Athlete of the Year Alison Hensley.

Coaches reports covered baseball and high school swimming.

New SBCC women’s swimming coach Chuckie Roth brought three athletes from his San Marcos High School team, which had just beaten Ventura for the first time in his 10 years coaching the Royals.

Part of that win were Megan Riley and Halie Johnson. Roth also mentioned Riley Heiduk, a team leader who can never make the luncheon because she’s so committed to chemistry class.

Dos Pueblos boys coach Chris Parrish is trying to avoid one of those first-win-against-a-team-in-a-long-time situations. His Chargers have never lost a Channel League dual meet but will have their hands full at Ventura this Friday.

Key to keeping the unbeaten streak intact are Blake Parrish and Scott Mahan.

Dos Pueblos’ girls team, coached by Kevin Kuga, is also undefeated. Katie Evans, Hailey Goodner and Madison Faulkner have been important contributors to the cause.

Royals boys coach Jeff Ashton took 15 swimmers to the Mt. SAC Invitational and was thrilled to see all 15 post personal bests. Jason Rosen and Chuck Sweeney drew praise from their coach.

“Their work ethic inspires the whole team,” Ashton said.

Carpinteria Athletic Director Pat Cooney, who is also the baseball coach, reported on the Warriors’ swimming team before moving on to his guys. The girls swimming team has moved up a division in CIF this year after two consecutive league championships. Maddie Brooks, Hope Grant & Co. still expect to have a presence in CIF competition.

The baseball team is trying to gain control of a roller-coaster like ride. Four of the Warriors’ seven wins have come in walk-off situations and Cooney worried that the parents were finding the dramatic finishes too stressful.

“So we’re looking to minimize those peaks and valleys,” Cooney said.

With Cooney were pitcher Max Damron and catcher Kevin Stein.

George Rempe introduced three players from Santa Barbara High, which is in second place in Channel League play. Tanner Guerra, Tristan Bloomer and Bowen Fredericks are

The first-place team, Dos Pueblos, was represented by players Josh Tedeschi, Daniel Buratto and head coach Nick Katzenstein. Tedeschi and Buratto are two juniors that have pitched well on a senior-heavy team.

San Marcos, which has two games left with Ventura, Buena and Santa Barbara, hopes to play spoiler down the stretch. Junior Hunter French and senior Brian Sandford will be a big part of that.

Bishop Diego’s baseball players at the luncheon, John Salda and Jack Gregson, have been playing together their whole lives and have led the Cardinals to a 4-2 record in Tri-Valley League play so far during their senior seasons.

The college baseball programs had news to share. The Gauchos feel good about winning two-of-three from Long Beach State over the weekend. Even though SBCC slipped out of first place since last week, it was a positive report as Zach Zehner has verbally committed to play at Cal Poly and Steven Reveles to Nebraska. Westmont stayed alive for a berth in the GSAC Tournament with a double-header sweep on Saturday.

Dos Pueblos’ Emma Redick

Cate’s Joshua Yaro

Dos Pueblos’ Emma Redick and Cate School’s Joshua Yaro were named Athletes of the Week at Monday’s Athletic Round Table Luncheon.

Both student-athletes were top-performers at Saturday’s County Track & Field Championships.

Redick led the Chargers girls to a team championship by winning two individual events and contributing to two winning relay teams.

Redick won the 200 and 400-meter races and anchored the 4×400 relay team that posted a season-best time on Saturday.

Yaro earned county championships in the 200-meter run and the triple jump. Yaro also placed second in the long jump.

Yaro’s triple-jump distance of 45′ 1/2″ was almost three-feet better than the second-place finisher.  The senior’s 200 time of 22.54 was less than a second off the meet record set in 1985.

San Marcos High School Assistant Principal Dan Garske, left, with Sportsperson of the Month Katina Etsell, and award sponsor Tyrone Maho at Monday’s press luncheon. (Presidio Sports Photo)

There is much that goes into a high school athletics program that never gets enough credit. That’s why the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table created the Sports Person of the Month Award, to honor people like Katina Etsell.

The San Marcos parent was recognized at Monday’s press luncheon for her contributions to the Royals.

“She really follows through and gets projects done and she always has a smile on her face,” said San Marcos Assistant Principal Dan Garske.

Etsell has donated her time to working on a handful of important projects at the school, including the field of champions campaign, the renovation of the aquatics facility, and the committee that raised money to resurface the tennis courts.

Etsell also works on several non-athletic programs that support students and faculty.

Following the awards portion of the luncheon, coaches reports covered baseball, softball and tennis.

The baseball teams from UCSB and Westmont were coming off of masterful pitching performances in their last outings. Both were wins over ranked opponents.

For the Gauchos, Robby Nesovic pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against No. 4 Cal State Fullerton, a team the Gauchos hadn’t beaten in Fullerton since 2007. The Gauchos won 2-0, snapping the Titans’ 10-game winning streak.

For Westmont, Mike Murphy threw a one-hit shutout to beat No. 11 Cal State San Marcos in a seven-inning game.

Neither performance could keep the Athlete of the Week award away from Alex Valente, however, as the Dos Pueblos swimmer broke a meet record at the Mt. SAC Meet of Champions with a CIF Automatic time of 48.86 in the 100 butterfly.

Valente was also a member of a DP medley relay team that broke a Channel League record set in 1994.

Other teams were seeing improvement as their spring seasons passed the half-way point.

“We started the year slowly but we’re getting better,” said Dons assistant coach George Rempe.

With him were players Michael Day, Evan Smith and Zach Torres. Day and Torres are two of four Dons baseball players who are two-sport varsity athletes. Smith won two games last week as the Dons as a team won all three games they played.

Dos Pueblos’ tennis team is 4-1 in the Channel League and keeping busy with four matches a week.

“It’s nice to see we’re improving from week to week,” said coach Liz Frech.

Her top doubles team of Mason Casady and Joshua Wang made their second luncheon.

“They work as an incredible doubles team. They move incredibly well and compliment each other.”

UCSB softball assistant coach Christine Ramos also sees improvement, specifically with freshman pitcher Alex Pingree who recorded two shutouts last week.

“It was awesome to see because she struggled a bit at the beginning of the season,” Ramos said.

Two coaches were able to report on first-place teams.

With six games to play, SBCC’s baseball team is tied with Cuesta for the WSC lead. The two teams play twice this week.

Dos Pueblos baseball coach Nick Katzenstein is all alone in first place at 4-1.

“We had a great week last week finishing off a sweep of Buena, that was big for us,” he said.

Katzenstein highlighted the return of Nolan Soto, who hit an RBI single in his first at-bat of the season. The Chargers play San Marcos twice this week starting on Tuesday at Dos Pueblos. Second baseman Brian Cho was complimented for his workmanlike approach.

Dos Pueblos’ softball team is one game out of first after a tense two-game set with Buena last week. Dos Pueblos won the first before falling in the second one in extra innings 1-0. Coach Jon Uyesaka introduced sophomores Lani Evans, calling her a “hard worker,” and Maddy Buie, who holds a .463 batting average.

San Marcos and Santa Barbara High softball were also there with important pieces to their teams. San Marcos was represented by Jenny Barajas, Claudia Herrera and Anmai Brook. Santa Barbara’s Shai Rodriguez and Sydney Martynick were introduced by coach Victor Alvarez.

The female Athlete of the Week was SBCC women’s tennis player Bruna Malgahaes. Raymond Eger was awarded as the Special Olympics Athlete of the Month.

Next week’s luncheon will honor Westmont’s National Champion Women’s Basketball Team. Press Luncheons are open to the public and happen every Monday at noon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.