Santa Barbara High School tennis player Nicole Buist and San Marcos football player Owen Lauderdale were recognized as the Athletes of the Week at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
Buist, a freshman, posted a huge upset, knocking off two-time defending Channel League champion Natasha Gill of San Marcos, 7-5, in a clash of No. 1 singles players during the Santa Barbara-San Marcos team match.
Buist is the first player to beat Gill in two years.
San Marcos won the match, 11-7.
Lauderdale was an impact player on both sides of the ball and on special teams in San Marcos’ 34-14 Channel League win over Dos Pueblos.
On offense, he caught four passes for 37 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown strike.
He was a force on defense, making 15 tackles, including five solos, had several big hits and three pass break-ups. On special teams, he blocked a Dos Pueblos field goal attempt just before halftime.
Lauderdale was honored as the rivalry game’s Jeff Hesselmeyer MVP Award winner.
The male honorable mention candidates for the week were Israel Samaguey (Carpinteria football), Talon Trumble (Carpinteria football), Andreas Dybdahl (Santa Barbara High cross country), Andre McCullough (San Marcos football) and Nic Prentice (San Marcos water polo).
The other female athletes in the running for the award include Sofia Orozco (SBCC soccer) and Eliana Urzua (Bishop Diego volleyball.
The Athletes of the Week are selected by members of the local sports media. Coaches are encouraged to nominate deserving student athletes. Nominations should be sent to sports@noozhawk.com.
The award is sponsored by the law firm of Maho-Prentice.
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