Home / Awards / Phil Womble Ethics Award / Tessa Johansen Honored as Bishop Diego’s Recipient of Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award
 Posted in Awards, Events, Phil Womble Ethics Award, Press Luncheon, Press Luncheons, Womble Ethics Award

Tessa Johansen Honored as Bishop Diego’s Recipient of Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award

 May 1, 2023

Bishop Diego’s Tessa Johansen knocks it out of the park as a softball player, student and volunteer.

She is the single-season and career home-run leader for the softball program, ranks in the top five academically in the junior class and has logged more than 184 hours of community service.

Tessa Johansen is a two-time all-league first-team softball player and Bishop Diego’s career home-run leader. She carries a 4.42 GPA.

Johansen was named Bishop Diego’s recipient of the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon. Award sponsor Dave Pintard presented the honor.

Johansen is captain of the softball team and has earned first-team all-league honors for two season.

Coach MeLinda Matsumoto said the junior works hard at her craft.

“There are times when I show up at school at 7 o’clock and she’s out  there hitting line drives and hitting fly balls to the outfielders to get some extra reps,” said Matsumoto.

The coach noted that Johansen is a selfless player. “She offered to leave her regular position at first base and play shortstop because she knew what was best for the team.”

The daughter of Shannon Garton and Daniel Johansen takes it upon herself to help the Bishop players that are new to softball.

“She’s leading, helping develop them, showing them what they should and shouldn’t do and having them understand my expectations as well,” said Matsumoto.

“She’s one of the best softball players I’ve ever coached in the dozen years I’ve been in this town.”

Johansen is star in the classroom. She carries a 4.42 GPA and is a Junior Class Marshall at Bishop.

Assisting others is a big part of her character. The 184.5 hours of service she’s logged include volunteering at the Santa Barbara Food Bank working the snack shack at Goleta Valley Girls Softball Association games, helping at softball camps, doing maintenance on the softball field at Bishop and being the scorekeeper at volleyball matches.

“Tessa is not only an amazing athlete, but she exemplifies the qualities that this award represents,” said Matsumoto. “We look forward to seeing these traits continue to grow through her senior year.”