Dos Pueblos soccer and softball standout Anastasia Brunner was honored as the school’s Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award recipient to headline Monday’s busy Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Luncheon.
The luncheon, which also included the presentation of the Gary Blades Big Game MVP award and updates from local fall sports teams, was held at Harry’s Plaza Cafe with American Riviera Bank serving as the guest host.
Anastasia Brunner Named Phil Womble Award Winner
Brunner’s commitment to Dos Pueblos on the field, in the classroom and around campus earned her the school’s Phil Womble Award.
As it states on the SBART website, “This award acknowledges student-athletes who value and incorporate into their daily lives, the following qualities: accountability, respect of teammates, opponents, and officials, honesty, positive attitude, reliability, loyalty, sportsmanship, others above self, and team above personal interest.”
The junior has shined in her first two seasons as a Charger on the softball field, as she was an All-League honorable mention in her freshman year and earned a spot on the All-League First Team last season.
She has also been recognized nationally, as she is an All-American and was ranked as the 34th-best player in her graduating class last year.
“It is certainly a well-deserved award for her,” Dos Pueblos softball coach Mike Gerken said. “She’s one of those kids that when she comes into your program you know you’ve got another good four years.
“She is an example, she is a model for what our kids need to aspire to. When they think about being excellent, they have a shining star in Anastasia that they can look to every day.”
Outside of athletics, Brunner holds a 4.23 GPA and has accumulated 300 community service hours teaching swim lessons in the summer and volunteering at her church summer school.
“Anastasia embodies all the qualities of an exceptional student-athlete,” Dos Pueblos athletic director Dan Feldhaus said. “Her dedication, leadership by example, respect for her peers and opponents and consistent display of sportsmanship make her an ideal candidate for this award.
“She’s someone who clearly understands the importance of teamwork and always represents our community, our school and our teams with pride.”
Brunner is the first of eight Phil Womble Ethics in Sports award winners for this school year. The award is sponsored by Dave Pintard of the Pintard Group.
“Thank you to the Round Table for this award and thank you to my family and coaches, especially, for always supporting me and teaching me to do things the right way,” Brunner said.
“It means a lot to have good character in my family, and I think that getting this award and who and what it represents is a big compliment, so thank you, I’m very grateful.”
Danny Diaz Accepts Gary Blade Big Game MVP Award
San Marcos quarterback Danny Diaz was presented with this year’s Gary Blade Big Game MVP Award from last Friday’s 20-20 tie between the Royals and the Dons.
The award was established in 1995 in memory of Blades, a fourth-generation Santa Barbara Don and a former starting left tackle for Santa Barbara High football.
Diaz ended the night completing 4-of-9 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns while showcasing his improvisation skills inside and outside of the pocket throughout the night.
“Danny has really grown up in a year, he’s our leader,” San Marcos head coach Ralph Molina said. “Players rally around him and we just tell him to be an athlete. He made a lot of plays the other night and kept us in the game.”
Click here for the full recap on last week’s historic Big Game tie.
SB Girls Volleyball Tournament of Champions Set for this Weekend
Santa Barbara High is set to host the 19-team Santa Barbara Girls Volleyball Tournament of Champions this weekend, with the competition beginning on Friday and ending on Saturday.
There will be plenty of local teams suiting up for the tournament, including the Santa Barbara High Dons, the San Marcos Royals, the Dos Pueblos Chargers and the Bishop Diego Cardinals.
“Thank you to all the local programs that are joining us for the Tournament of Champions,” Dons coach Kristin Hempy said. “We’re really excited to host… there’s going to be some really great competition.”
Dos Pueblos will open up on Friday at 9 a.m. against Marin Academy while Bishop Diego will take on Clovis at 12:30 p.m. At 2:15 p.m., San Marcos will face Newport Harbor and Santa Barbara High will play against Clovis East.
All of these games will be at Santa Barbara High’s JR Richards Gym.
Student-Athletes in Attendance, By Order of Presentation:
Dos Pueblos Girls Soccer/Softball: Anastasia Brunner
Providence Girls Volleyball: Ava Wagner, Daniella Terry
San Marcos Football: Danny Diaz, Nate Jones, Max Silva
Santa Barbara City College Football: Donovan Harris, Michael Hayes Jr.
San Marcos Girls Volleyball: Charlotte Hastings, Cora Loomer
Bishop Diego Football: Mays Pese, JD Vargas
Bishop Diego Girls Volleyball: Karina Urzua, Natalie Chan
Laguna Blanca Girls Volleyball: Chloe Gidney, Danica Rux
Dos Pueblos Girls Volleyball: Emma Polunets, Madeleine Curtis
Dos Pueblos Girls Flag Football: Esme Mazurkiewicz, Sterling Streatfield
Dos Pueblos Football: Kaarlo Anderson, Damian Martinez
Dos Pueblos Boys Water Polo: Lucas Neushul, Eli Carnaghe
Carpinteria High Girls Volleyball: Averi Alexander, Camila Martinez
Carpinteria High Football: E.J. Martinez, Sebastian Cervantes
Santa Barbara High Girl Volleyball: Lola Heckman, Paylin Marcillac
Santa Barbara High Football: Carter Debusk, Malachi Johnston, Julyan Martinez
Santa Barbara High Girls Flag Football: Shea Gannon, Alanah Salas, Sophia Olmeda
San Marcos Girls Flag Football: Janelle Capuno, Jaylee Farias
Cate Girls Volleyball: Oyin Opawumi
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