The Dos Pueblos track & field team is making a strong kick at the end of the season.
The Chargers experienced a big day at last Saturday’s Santa Barbara County Championships. The girls varsity won the team title, the boys finished second and the combined scoring of the varsity and frosh/soph teams gave DP the grand sweepstakes title.
“We were just ecstatic with the accomplishment,” said assistant coach Micks Purnell at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
The results show how far the Chargers have come. After not having access to train at Scott O’Leary Stadium during the winter months because the playing field and track were being resurfaced, the varsity girls went 1-4 and the boys 0-5 in dual meets.
It’s now all coming together for the team as it heads into the Channel League finals on Wednesday at CIF competition the following weeks.
Purnell recognized the work of first-year coaches Anthony Cota and Madison Herrera.
“At this time last year, they were still in class at Westmont,” he said. “As of this past Christmas they didn’t know they were going to be head coaches. Madison and Anthony were willing to step in.”
Purnell figured it wouldn’t be easy for them, but it’s all turned out well for the program.
“One of the people I know that I recognize as a good high school coach said the first year you’re a coach, just survive,” Purnell said. “And I think Madison and Anthony survived wonderfully in a bewildering environment with some 145 high school kids in our program.”
The performances from seniors Nathaniel Getachew, Josie Morales and Emmi Wyttenbach have been a big reason for DP’s late-season rise. Morales won the 1600, 800 and high jump titles at the County Championships, Getachew captured the boys 1600 and 800 and earned a fourth-place finish in the high jump and Wyttenbach pulled through to win a strategic 3200-meter title.
All three are outstanding students and will continue their athletic careers in college: Morales in soccer at Colorado College, Getachew in track and cross country at Pomona College and Wyttenbach at either Cornell or Dartmouth.
Carpinteria track & field coach Van Latham thanked Santa Ynez for hosting the county championships. For the past 20 years, Latham has run the meet at Carpinteria Valley Memorial Stadium.
“After hosting (the 100th) Russell Cup, I was toast,’’ Latham said. “It was really nice just to get on the bus and go to a track meet. I’d like thank Santa Ynez for the great job they did.”
Latham gets back to work for the next two weeks as Carpinteria hosts the inaugural Citrus Coast League Finals on Thursday and the CIF-SS Division 4 Prelims on Saturday, May 4.
Santa Barbara High’s track & field team heads into Wednesday’s Channel League finals at San Marcos and assistant coach Moki Nacario feels the Dons are ready to do some big things.
He reported that Jake Knecht is the league leader in the 100 and 200 and set a PR of 22.81 in the 200 at the county championships. AJ Reyes had a strong showing in the 400 and 800 at the county meet.
On the girls side, freshmen Elena Everest and Clara Aviani won their races at the county championships. Aviani took the frosh/soph 800 and 1600 while Everest won the 3200 and was second in the 1600.
Here is a rundown of what the coaches said about the athletes they brought to the press luncheon:
Bishop Diego Track & Field
Coach Phillip Beach on hurdler Michael Romero: “He is definitely one of the stars of our team. He’s a well-rounded Bishop athlete that plays a number of sports. He leads by example, is always is the first in line and takes practices really seriously.”
On senior sprinter Jarrod Ramirez: “He’s our team captain; leads by example, is a really hard worker, takes the time to show freshman set up for the starting blocks and get introduced to the track. He is also a leader in the weight room and helps other senior runners with their technique.”
On sophomore sprinter Katelyn Hoidal: “This is her first year in track but you couldn’t really tell. She was really aggressive, coming out of the blocks fast in all her races. She does really well in the 100 and 200. She brings really good energy. She can do more pull-ups than half the guys on our team.”
SBCC Baseball
Coach Jeff Walker on Jake McBride and Mason Metcalfe: “They helped during a very successful week for the Vaqueros. He went 3-1 on the week.
The Vaqueros are in a three-way tie for first place in the Western State Conference with Ventura and Cuesta going into its final two regular season games this week against Moorpark.
“We’re seeking our ninth straight consecutive postseason berth, which is the longest streak in Southern California and we’re also seeking our fifth conference title in nine years,” said Walker.
Santa Barbara High Volleyball
Coach Chad Arneson on junior outside hitter Riley Roach: “He’s kind of our Achilles heel. He keeps our players pretty even keeled. He’s the floor general on the team. It’s nice to have that. He has a 4.6 GPA.”
On junior middle Ben Sherman: “He helped us win some big games early in the season and helped us at San Marcos, when we had Aiden Douglas out sick with the flu. He’s a huge part of our success. He has a 4.8 GPA.
On junior Shaymus O’Hearn: “He’s our first serving specialist coming off the bench. He’s one of best jump servers on the team. He’s got a great attitude. His GPA is 4.7.
San Marcos Baseball
Coach Jacob Pepper on freshman Joaquin Sandoval: “Even though he’s only a freshman, he has a lot of game experience, a lot of confidence, plays the game really hard, hustles. The only thing has been tough for him is the seniors picked his walk-up song, (“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen) so he has to listen to the walk-up song that was not his choice . He gets some laughs on the defense. He’s handled it really well. It’ll be great having him as a leader moving forward.”
On senior Alex Moosbrugger:. “Another guy who does everything and doesn’t expect anything in return for that. He just does it because that’s the kid he is. The greatest thing about Moose is he hasn’t had a ton of opportunities but he’s come up with some huge hits for us in big opportunities. When he gets on base it’s great, because you know baseball players have these fancy things they like to do in the dugout, For him, it’s real easy with a last name Moose — he gives the 10-point antler there. Hope he gets on base a bunch.”
San Marcos Volleyball
Coach Roger Kuntz on: libero Zach Werner: “He’s been passing really well for us. He comes in and adds a lot of fire in the back row and we’re really proud to have him.”
On setter Tanner Stevens: “Tanner is one of those gifts you get as a coach once in a while and they run the show. He’s had some incredible matches and is a beautiful setter.”
On senior captain and middle Parker Bittner: Parker is a 3-, 4-year starter in the middle-hitting position and he really is showtime — he lights it up. He’s an incredible leaper; he really connects well with Tanner. He’s been a real treat to work with this year.”
On senior outside hitter Arman Banan: “He was kind of utility guy up until about three weeks ago. He kept working so hard and playing great defense that we thought we’d give him a shot at the front row against DP and he just went off. We’re really proud of his improvement over the year.”
San Marcos Softball
Assistant Emily Dietz on senior third baseman Megan Cunnison: “She puts the team above herself; she’s willing to do anything to help us win.”
On junior first baseman Kyla Robbins: “She moved from outfield to first this year after having some arm trouble and is doing a great job at a new position.”
Santa Barbara High Baseball
Coach Steve Schuck on seniors Jackson Hamilton and Bryce Warrecker: “They rounded out our lineup. They were in basketball and it took them about 3-3 1/2 weeks after we started to get in the lineup and get going. Ever since they joined the lineup and were regular contributors, it just rounded out our team.
“Jackson is an outfielder and No. 3 pitcher. I can play him in any three spots in the outfield. This year, he’s a huge contributor He hits in the 8-spot and is hitting over .300.
“Bryce is our No. 2 pitcher, plays first base and also DH. He has been splitting time with Nick Dallow at first base and it’s a true testament to the type of player is and his makeup.”
Dos Pueblos Baseball
Assistant coach Dan Rohde on Andrew Guardino: He’s a starting pitcher as well as reliever for us this year. Currently, he has eight appearances with just under 20 innings pitched with 20 strikeouts. He has an ERA of 2.00.
On senior outfielder Nate Jordan: “He’s hitting .308 with 12 RBI. He had a big week last week against Santa Ynez. He hit two homers, went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI. And these aren’t normal high school home runs, these two home runs would have gone out at Dodger Stadium.”
Carpinteria Track & Field
Coach Van Latham on Isaac DeAlba, a defending league champion in shot put. “He’s a former sprinter. He didn’t take up the shot until about midway through last year. He has a best of 47-8 this year. He’s ready for some big performances going into postseason.
On Breanna DeLira: “You look up the word steady and that’s Breanna. She doesn’t say much, she just comes out every day and works hard. She has the nickname of Gabby because of her vociferous nature. She’s a quarter miler, and those are special people. We can always depend on her to run well.”
On Fatima Cervantes, county champion in the frosh/soph high jump: “She set a PR with a 5-foot clearance, which equals our sophomore record. This is her first year in track, so it’s all new to her. She keeps raising the bar, literally.”
Dos Pueblos Track & Field
Assistant coach Micks Purnell on senior Nathaniel Getachew, county champion in the 1600 and 800 and fourth in high jump: “He has been high jumping for several years now. His better events are the running events. He is going to Pomona College and they’re very happy to have him there. He has a 4.5 GPA.
On Emmi Wyttenbach, winner of a tactical 3200 at county meet: “Nobody wanted to go fast. Emmi executed in that scenario as well as she executed in any other scenario. This one is a much more stressful one, where you’re used to following and riding people and Emmi was in the lead position all of the time. She has a 4.7 GPA and got into Cornell and Dartmouth.
On Josie Morales, a finalist in the high jump at last year’s State Meet, a middle distance and distance runner and a college-bound soccer player: “I tell people I have Josie in possibly her third-best sport. She decided she likes running, so she started doing cross country. She’s an expert mentally in soccer but she’s embraced how to compete and embraced the pain of middle- and long-distance running. She has become an excellent competitor and she’s also become a much stronger runner this year.”
Luncheon Notes
The UCSB men’s volleyball team got the bad news Sunday morning that it wasn’t picked for the at-large in the NCAA Tournament.
“As of 10 a.m. (Sunday) morning our season was officially over,” assistant coach Cullen Irons said. “The NCAA tournament at-large selection came down to USC, UC Irvine and UCSB. UCI edged out the others for the final spot.”
While the news was a bummer, assistant coach Vince Devany said the future looks bright.
“We graduate only three seniors and return five starters, two of whom are freshmen and played almost every set,” he said.
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