The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table’s Press Luncheon was held with a heavy heart on Monday, as local coaches and media remembered Dave Loveton—a fixture in the Santa Barbara sports community who passed away last week.
At the beginning of the luncheon, Santa Barbara City College Director of Sports Rocco Constantino talked about Loveton’s life and legacy.
“What I will remember most is how he treated student-athletes,” Constantino told the audience. “He wanted every single student-athlete to be treated and feel like a superstar. I can’t help but think how many student-athletes he must have helped along the way.”
San Marcos Baseball
Royals’ coach Welsley Ghan-Gibson discussed the work ethic of Brendon Cekada — a player who’s hitting .345 with six stolen bases on the season.
“In his spare time, he likes to hit, and then after he hits, then he lifts and hits some more,” said Ghan-Gibson.
Ghan-Gibson also brought to the luncheon Nicky Fell, who has excelled both on and off the field this season. Fell is hitting .350 with a .585 slugging percentage this year while maintaining a 4.7 GPA in the classroom.
Santa Barbara Girls Basketball
Dons coach Andrew Butcher began his presentation with a story about Loveton scoring 24 points in a celebrity basketball game against the cast of Saved by the Bell.
“We played basketball at the Y for years, and playing with him was a joy,” said Butcher. “Win or lose, he always had a smile on his face.”
Butcher then talked about three of the athletes who have been integral in the team’s 4-1 start to the season — Brianna Trujillo, Caia Trimble, and Jaeda Spence.
Butcher focused on Trujillo’s three-point shooting, and praised the tremendous amount of arc that she puts on her shot.
Butcher praised Trimble for her incredible basketball IQ.
“She’s a genius on the court; she’s doing a lot of college-level stuff in high school,” Butcher said.
Finally, Butcher singled out Spence’s leadership on the floor, stating that the junior forward’s speech during a timeout helped motivate the team during a recent league game.
Santa Barbara currently sits at 4-0 in league play, and takes on Lompoc Tuesday night.
Dos Pueblos Boys Basketball
While coach Joe Zamora couldn’t make it to the luncheon, JV coach Joe Toste read aloud his comments about Kael Rillie and Joaquin Riker — the two athletes in attendance for the Chargers.
“Joaquin is a quiet leader, but he sets the tone in practice and in the games for us,” Toste said. “He understands the game and knows how to make his teammates better.”
Toste praised the verbal leadership of Rillie — a player Zamora described as both “humble” and “confident.”
Dos Pueblos will take on San Marcos on Tuesday before facing off against Santa Barbara twice later in the week.
San Marcos Softball
Coach Jeff Swann started his presentation on Monday with the team’s motivational quote of the day: “Success doesn’t happen to you, it happens because of you.”
Swann explained that the two athletes he brought — Allie Fryklund and Emma Foster — are perfect examples of that.
As a sophomore, Fryklund completely changed her grip on the ball, meaning she only threw a change-up and a fastball that season. But this year, Swann said that everything is coming together.
“She has a full arsenal of pitches, and she’s rising to the occasion,” Swann said. “We’re gonna ride her all the way.”
Swann also praised Fryklund’s leadership this season, and her mentoring of the younger players on the team.
Swann then discussed freshman Emma Foster, a player with no softball experience before this year.
“She’s adapted really well to the different motion of the ball, and in the last five games she’s gotten seven hits”.
San Marcos Basketball
In a season with limited preparation time and few practices, coach Jelani Hicks praised the leadership of Shakir Ahmad and Thomas Kinzler, and credited them with keeping the team together during a tumultuous season.
“They’re showing the new guys the way to be competitive at the varsity level,” said Hicks. “We’re a team full of leaders that are stepping up.”
San Marcos was facing off against St. Joseph Monday night.
Dos Pueblos Boys Soccer
Coach Matt York brought seniors Sebastien Dupont and Kylan Johnson to the luncheon — players who have dominated on opposite sides of the field.
York praised Dupont’s ability to find ways to score goals throughout the season.
“He’s not the most physically imposing guy, but he roughs people up out there,” York said. “He’s pretty much our only offense this year.”
On the defensive end, York applauded Johnson’s goalkeeping and leadership this season. Last week, Johnson saved two penalty kicks, which York cited as huge momentum builders for the team.
“Without those saves, we wouldn’t be looking at playoffs,” York said.
Dos Pueblos Girls Soccer
Despite fielding a relatively inexperienced team, coach Seth Asuncion highlighted Payton Walker and Isabel Uyesaka — two players who have stepped up and taken on leadership roles this season.
Walker, a 4-year varsity player, has stepped up and taken ownership of the defense this season as the team captain, according to Asuncion.
Asuncion specifically mentioned Uyesaka’s work ethic, and noted that she gives it her best the whole time she’s on the field.
San Marcos Volleyball
Coach Thomas Kuntz described the student-athletes he brought to the luncheon on Monday as the “leadership for the last three years.”
First, Kuntz praised the athleticism and digging ability of Jacob Yinger — a libero who will be attending Cal Berkeley in the fall.
Kuntz then talked about senior Ben Newton, whom he described as the team’s vocal leader on the court.
“He’s telling everyone what to do on the court before I get to them,” Kuntz said. “He’s like a quarterback or a linebacker.”
Finally, Kuntz highlighted the hitting ability of Josh Willbanks, who leads the team in kills with 19 on the season.
San Marcos will take on Dos Pueblos on Wednesday.
San Marcos Boys Soccer
Coach Paul McLean began his presentation by talking about the shift in culture within the San Marcos soccer program — from one of fear to a healthy culture. McLean brought three players who he felt embodied that shift.
First, he praised Cade McLean for embracing his opportunity off of the bench, and scoring the game-winning goal against Dos Pueblos on Thursday.
In terms of effort, the coach singled out Sergio Diaz for setting the tone for the rest of the team.
“When I think about 100 percent effort, I think about this guy,” Paul McLean said. “No one works harder than he does.”
He also highlighted captain AJ Ranni for his positivity and encouragement towards the rest of the squad. Despite being out with a concussion, Ranni “epitomizes what supporting the team looks like,” he added.
San Marcos will take on Santa Ynez on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m
Brandon Victor is a local freelance writer. Contact him at sports@noozhawk.com.
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