At the final Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon of the school year, friends, colleagues and coaches alike honored Mark Patton, a sports writer for the Santa Barbara News-Press who has been a stalwart in the local sports community for nearly 50 years.
Patton is retiring this week.
Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal talked about the incredible stories that Patton has written over the years.
“There’s a lot of big sports people in town, but none are bigger than Mark Patton,” Punzal said. “If you were fortunate enough to have a story, a feature story, or a column about you written by him, you were really a special person, and really lucky because his storytelling was just masterful.”
Santa Barbara County Supervisor Gregg Hart presented Patton with a proclamation that recognized his role in the Santa Barbara sports community.
“His entire professional career has been supporting athletes, supporting success and recognizing the tough moments in sports, too,” said Hart, who, like Patton, is an alum of Bishop Diego High School.
Long-time sports writer John Zant, who writes for the Santa Barbara Independent, said Patton’s retirement marks the end of era of sports journalism in Santa Barbara.
Patton’s father, Phil, was the sports editor at the News-Press in the 1960s and early ’70s.
Also recognizing Patton was UCSB men’s basketball coach Joe Pasternack. Patton covered UCSB basketball for the last 38 years.
San Marcos Baseball
Coach Wesley Ghan-Gibson brought seniors Will Trautwein and Henry Manfredonia. He praised the effort of Trautwein, a player who consistently gives his all in practice.
“If you came to one of our practices, you would be concerned for his physical health the way he goes after balls,” said Ghan-Gibson. “It’s really special, and we’re very fortunate to have that kind of guy on our team.”
On the season, Trautwein is hitting .300 with an on-base percentage of .481.
Manfredonia, who has signed to play baseball at UCSB, is hitting .381 with 17 RBIs, and has racked up 31 strikeouts in only 28 innings on the mound.
The Royals play Dos Pueblos twice this week, with the Channel League title up for grabs.
Santa Barbara Swimming
Coach Mark Walsh talked about his team’s impressive performance in the Channel League Championships.
Swimming against what he described as some excellent programs, Santa Barbara finished in third place in both the boys and girls competition.
Walsh introduced freshmen Nalani Yim and Layla Szymczak.
Walsh stated that it was rare that a water polo goalie winds up being one of the team’s fastest swimmers, but that Yim has nonetheless done an excellent job this season.
“She is one of the fastest swimmers in our league, and she’s got a great work ethic,” said Walsh.
Walsh specifically praised the versatility of Szymczak, and noted that she will swim events no one else wants to swim.
From the boys team, Walsh introduced Evan Encell-O’Hara, and praised his tremendous growth between last season as a freshman and this year as a sophomore.
“When I saw him [earlier this year], it looked like all he’d be doing was lifting and swimming,” said Walsh.
Walsh highlighted the achievements of Neeno McDonald, an athlete whom he described as a “sprint specialist.”
Santa Barbara will be swimming in the CIF-SS Division 3 Championships on Saturday at Santa Margarita High in Orange County.
Carpinteria Swimming
Coach Sergio Castaneda praised the effort and performance of his entire team. The boys won the Citrus Coast League title, and the girls finished as runners-up
“Our team is incredibly driven, and I’ve been super stoked on everyone’s performance this year,” he said.
Castaneda introduced freshman Jackson Melton, the male Athlete of the Week. He set two school records and CIF Division 4 automatic qualifying times at the CCL finals.
“Considering he’s probably not even fully grown, he has a lot to grow,” said Castaneda.
San Marcos Softball
Coach Jeff Swann said junior captain Cassandra Perez is a player whose leadership style is invaluable to the team.
“She brings this complete calm to the team,” he said. “She keeps everybody organized and in line.”
Swann also praised Perez’s versatility on the field and her ability to play multiple positions.
On sophomore Mackenzie Mendoza, Swann said he’s very thankful for the safety nets when he’s pitching to her during batting practice.
“She hits the ball so hard. I’d be dismembered by now if I didn’t have that safety net — the ball goes off her bat so fast,” he said.
San Marcos plays Dos Pueblos twice this week. With both teams coming into the week at 12-1, this matchup will dictate who wins the league title.
Bishop Diego Baseball
Team announcer and parent Tyron Maho presented three seniors who have “stepped up all year long”.
Maho said third baseman Nico Sanchez leads off and uses his speed to help the team.
Dax Donati is a versatile player as he can pitch and play the outfield.
Finally, Maho highlighted his son, Luc Maho, whose bat he claims has “come on fire lately.”
Bishop Diego needs to win two of its three games this week to make the playoffs, said Tyron Maho.
Dos Pueblos Swimming
Coach Kendall Kuga brought seniors Caitlyn Robinson and Brittney Gamble.
Kuga described Robinson as an incredibly consistent swimmer for the team—one who has won league in the 50 freestyle all four years of high school.
Kuga praised Gamble, stating that she is a “firecracker” and a “workhorse” on the team
“She’s a great role model,” said Kuga. “She works so hard every single day, and she loves to swim.”
San Marcos Girls Soccer
Filling in for the head coach, assistant coach Miguel Vences highlighted the incredible season the team is having.
After struggling for a few years, the team is 14-0 and playing for the CIF-SS Division 5 title against Paraclete on Friday at 5 p.m at Warkentin Stadium.
Forward Sofia Orozco and center back Paige Ingram have been keys to the team’s success
Orozco —the Athlete of the Week — scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the CIF semifinals last week. For the season, she has scored 15 goals and added three assists.
Ingram is the team’s “rock at the back,” Vences said. “She’s a huge reason why we have 10 shutouts this season.”
Bishop Diego Softball
While it’s been a crazy year, Bishop Diego coach Melinda Matsumoto praised the character and effort of her youthful team.
“The Santa Clara coach told us after our doubleheader last week that we were the scrappiest team she’s played all season,” said Matsumoto.
She highlighted the effort and work ethic of sophomore Mya Gatzke.
“She shows up on time and gives everything that she has that day,” Matsumoto said. “Her work ethic and dedication is a coach’s dream”.
Matsumoto introduced Lucy Plowman, whom she described as the ultimate utility player.
“She’s played four different positions for me this season, and has been able to go where we need her,” Matsumoto said. “She’s eager to learn and develop, especially in the pitcher circle.”
On freshman pitcher Lauren Weeks, “We wouldn’t be competing in these games without her,” Matsumoto said.
Weeks is also the team’s leadoff hitter, and is batting over .400 on the season.
San Marcos Swimming
Coach Brian Roth said sophomore Reagan McEacher is a team player.
“She’d rather be playing water polo, but she swims for the team, and I appreciate and value that so much.”
Roth said Abby Webber is the most “raw” swimmer he’s ever coached. He highlighted her improvement throughout the season and, in particular, noted that she recently dropped a second and a half on her relay time to help the team qualify for CIF.
San Marcos will be taking part in the CIF Division 1 championships on Thursday.
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