Hayden Randolph is fearless player on the volleyball court and soccer pitch for Santa Barbara High.
She makes big-time digs and scrambles to keep plays alive as the libero on the Dons’ volleyball team. In soccer, she wins balls, takes on players and creates scoring opportunities for teammates as an attacking central midfielder.
She also tears it up in the classroom, sporting a 4.68 grade-point average while carrying a course load that includes advanced placement literature, calculus and government/economics.
The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table is honoring Randolph, a senior, as the Scholar Athlete of the Year from Santa Barbara High School, and the award is being presented virtually by award sponsor and Round Table member Marc Gamberdella.
Normally, Randolph would be honored at the Round Table’s weekly press luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the luncheon schedule has been put on hold.
Randolph gives the varsity volleyball team a huge lift with her defensive play and passing.
“She has a fearless mindset and lot of grit,” Dons volleyball coach Ariana Garner said. “She never gives up on a play. She is the definition of always giving 110 percent. That’s something her teammates admire about her.”
Randolph was new to indoor volleyball when she arrived at SBHS as a freshman. It didn’t take long for her to adapt, as she had experience playing doubles on the beach.
She also plays club soccer, and enjoys surfing and tennis.
“She is a phenomenal athlete and a phenomenal person,” said Garner. “I haven’t seen her play soccer, but I know she’s equally studly out there as she is on the court and beach for us, as well as the classroom.”
Randolph earned Channel League first-team honors in volleyball and soccer during her junior year.
Randolph’s recognition for her academic work includes being a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the California Scholastic Federation.
She’s also traveled the world. During her freshman year, she traveled to South America and missed the first three months of school. She did her school work independently and finished the semester with straight A’s.
Among her international experiences, she spent a month in Presto, Bolivia volunteering at a school and traveled to Nepal for a cross-cultural education program.
Her community activities include participating in the Keiki Paddle since the age of 7. The group organizes a youth ocean paddle to provide emotional and financial support for a child in Santa Barbara County with a life-threatening illness.
Randolph has been a Keiki Paddle board member since she was 13.
Additionally, she’s been a part of the National Charity League since the age 12.
SBART_ Scholar Athlete of the Year Award – Hayden Randolph from Noozhawk on Vimeo.
— Noozhawk sports editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk Sports on Twitter: @NoozhawkSports. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
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