There was a positive vibe at Harry’s Cafe on Monday after local football teams went 5-2 over the weekend.
“Winning isn’t everything but it definitely doesn’t suck,” said SBCC’s head coach Craig Moropoulos.
The Vaqueros won their second straight game on Saturday in a 14-6 decision over L.A. Valley. The Vaquero defense, which allowed just 31 yards and a single first down in the second half, produced this week’s male Athlete of the Week Joel Medina.
“It’s always very rewarding to have the other side of the ball step up and absolutely shut down the opponent, and that’s what our defense did on Saturday night,” Moropoulos said.
Football players and coaches were present from SBCC, Carpinteria, Dos Pueblos, Laguna Blanca, San Marcos, and Santa Barbara High.
Also attending were the college soccer teams from Westmont and SBCC, several girls golf and tennis teams, and the UCSB tennis teams.
Westmont’s Madison Serrano was the Female Athlete of the Week while Laguna Blanca’s Caitlin Connor was named Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
A recap is below:
IN REVIEW (In Order of Appearance)
Taylor Chavez-Goggin, UCSB Men’s Tennis – UCSB is hosting its Gaucho Classic on October 12-14. Cal, Nevada, Cal Poly, UC Irvine and Westmont will be competing.
Craig Moropoulos, SBCC Football – The Vaqueros have won their last two and face L.A. Southwest this weekend in Los Angeles. Moropoulos brought Athlete of the Week Medina and Delencey Parham, both representing the defense.
Simon Thibodeau, UCSB Tennis – UCSB’s new women’s tennis coach attended his first SBART press luncheon and started by saying he was looking forward to getting to know the high school tennis coaches in the area. Thibodeau comes to UCSB from Fresno State. “My goal really is to put the women’s tennis program on the map.”
Kristi Kiely, Westmont Women’s Soccer – The Warriors, ranked No. 7 in the NAIA, have a record of 4-2-1. Kiely is enjoying watching her “dynamic duo” of Aolani Reuff and Ashley Correa this season.
Aaron Solis, San Marcos Girls Tennis – Solis was speaking for Royals head coach Alex Sheldon. Solis reported that San Marcos has a terrific group of freshmen participating in the tennis program. The Royals, represented by Amber Rowley and Alexis Flores, host Dos Pueblos is a crosstown clash on Tuesday.
Chris Gahan, Carpinteria Girls Golf – Gahan began with a bunch of thanks, spreading the gratitude to Warriors Athletic Director Pat Cooney, assistant coaches Tony Luna and Jasper Mallard, and the players. With Gahan were seniors Lauren Taira and Valerie Martin.
Pat Cooney, Carpinteria Football and Carpinteria Girls Tennis – Cooney read a prepared report from head football coach Ben Hallock, word for word in order to preserve the coach’s intended humor. “We got ten sacks. That’s ten, t-e-n sacks, that’s a bunch… these are the words of coach Hallock,” Cooney said. Duncan Gordan and Jaime DeRobles were responsible for seven of those sacks. Cooney then moved on to report for Charles Bryant and the Carpinteria girls tennis team. Student-athletes Catalina Maldonado and Erin Saito have been key components of the Warriors 12-0 tennis team. Cooney made one addition to his coaches’ reports, noting that Saito was an SBART Phil Womble Award winner last year.
Coach Sapp, Laguna Blanca Girls Tennis – The “Average Joe’s” are 1-1 on the season. Scholar-Athlete Award recipient Caitlin Connor is a member of the Laguna tennis team. “She’s grown and matured a lot as a player this year. She has a huge forehand and a big serve.”
Anthony Linebaugh, San Marcos Football – Of players Cameron Whitney and Nate Williams, Linebaugh said, “They are great young men of character. Two young men who basically ask whatever they can do to help the team.”
Dave Wolf, Westmont Men’s Soccer – “I’ve been really encouraged by the results of our team so far this year,” Wolf said. The Warriors are 3-2 and begin GSAC competition on Wednesday. “But what I’ve even more encouraged by is what I’m calling the teachable spirit of my team.”
Shane Lopes, Laguna Blanca Football – The Owls have seven freshmen on their roster, which filled out half of their 14-player lineup in Saturday’s loss to Thacher. The Owls move on the play Cate on Saturday.
Shawn Ricci, San Marcos Golf – The Royals have 14 players participating in golf this year, led by Melissa Jewkes and Emily Peterson. The pair are team captains and have been great leaders for many of the younger players, according to Ricci. The Royals are 4-3 on the season and host Dos Pueblos on Tuesday at Santa Barbara Golf Club.
Doug Caines, Santa Barbara High Football – Caines was thrilled with the defensive effort put forth in Friday’s win as the Dons defense limited Centennial Bakersfield to two scores. Mitchell Barrett and Carlos Orozco are seniors on Caines’ defensive line, Orozco being the one who knocked out a fumble that was key to the Dons’ 24-21 win on Friday night.
Ben York, Dos Pueblos Football – York was reporting for head coach Nate Mendoza. The Chargers are 4-1. In Friday’s 42-28 win, four different players scored rushing touchdowns for the Chargers, including luncheon attendee Dylan Rohde. Also there with York were Jordan Degraffinreid and Harry Smith. DP has a long road trip ahead this week with a game at 5-0 San Juan Hills in San Juan Capistrano.
Dave Loveton, SBCC Soccer – Loveton reported for John Sisterson and the soccer programs from City College. Brandie Harris has seven goals for the 4-2-2 women, who play their first five conference games at home. The men are seeking their fourth WSC title in five years and have posted shutouts in three of their last five matches.
STUDENT-ATHLETES IN ATTENDANCE
Sasha Gryaznov, UCSB Men’s Tennis
Erica Cano, UCSB Women’s Tennis
Kiersten Meehan, UCSB Women’s Tennis
Delencey Parham, SBCC Football
Joel Medina, SBCC Football
Cameron Whitney, San Marcos Football
Nate Willows, San Marcos Football
Nana Akyen, Westmont Men’s Soccer
Gerald Ben, Westmont Men’s Soccer
Justin Palmer, Laguna Blanca Football
Brian Miguel, Laguna Blanca Football
Melissa Jewkes, San Marcos Golf
Emily Peterson, San Marcos Golf
Mitchell Barrett, Santa Barbara High Football
Carlos Orozco, Santa Barbara High Football
Matt Escobar, Santa Barbara High Football
Dylan Rodhe, Dos Pueblos Football
Jordan Degraffinreid, Dos Pueblos Football
Harry Smith, Dos Pueblos Football
Amber Rowley, San Marcos Tennis
Alexis Flores, San Marcos Tennis
Lauren Taira, Carpinteria Golf
Valerie Martin, Carpinteria Golf
Jaime DeRobles, Carpinteria Football
Duncan Gordon, Carpinteria Football
Catalina Maldonado, Carpinteria Tennis
Erin Saito, Carpinteria Tennis
Caitlin Connor, Laguna Blanca Tennis
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