SBART Luncheon: Ted Rudolph Named Special Olympic Athlete of the Month, Winter Sports Begin

The Special Olympics Athlete of the Month was awarded and the winter sports teams made their 2024-25 debut at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon on Monday at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.

While Ted Rudolph was honored by the Special Olympics, local basketball, soccer and girls water polo teams previewed their seasons, many of which begin play this week.

Ted Rudolph Named Special Olympics Athlete of the Month

After nearly 20 years as a Special Olympics athlete, Rudolph was named the athlete of the month for November for his efforts on the tennis court.

Over the years, Rudolph has competed in track & field, basketball, swimming and tennis. At the conclusion of the latest tennis season, he was given the Coach’s Award, a compilation of the most improved, sportsmanship and leadership awards.

“We have enjoyed [Rudolph’s] company in tennis for over a decade,” Special Olympics coach Liz Frech said. “As soon as he steps on the court he is fired up and sends that energy throughout the team… He is tough on himself and plays with a purpose.”

While Rudolph shows plenty of talent on the court, he has also been a positive presence off the court for other members of the team.

“At practices and tournaments he assumes the role of coach-athlete,” Frech said. “He cheers on his teammates, helps them with their technique, calms them down when it’s not going so well and gives me plenty of advice.

“He shows compassion to everyone, but most notably our autistic athletes… He has been an amazing big brother to his teammates.”

Rudolph expressed his gratitude for the award and the coaching of Frech, who just finished her time as a Special Olympics tennis coach, a position she held for over a decade.

“I want to thank the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table for this prestigious award and I want to thank all my young coaches, including Nicole (Buist), for all of their dedication, inspiration and positivity,” Rudolph said.

“I also want to thank Liz for all her dedication and support and for helping me in all my skills… She makes all the practices super fun, she makes everything seem so positive and she’s the most inspirational person I’ve ever met.”

Channel League Winter Sports Season Kicks Off

The majority of the local high school basketball, soccer and girls water polo teams will open their seasons this week with both non-league action and an early crosstown rivalry game.

Santa Barbara High boys basketball enters the season as the team to beat, coming off a 24-9 season, a co-Channel League championship and an appearance in the CIF-SS Div. 3A Semifinals.

The Dons will be led by returning All-CIF and All-State team member Luke Zuffelato after a historic junior season, and he will be joined by point guard Carter Battle, who missed all of last season after an All-Channel League First Team sophomore campaign.

“We have a really good core back from last year’s team,” Santa Barbara coach Greg Zuffelato said. “We’ve played a lot of very good teams in the summer and fall and we’ve done very well… We’re excited about the year.”

In girls basketball, Dos Pueblos headlines the local squads after a 19-10 season last year that ended in the second round of the CIF-SS Div. 3AA playoffs.

San Marcos and Santa Barbara High will look to compete for a playoff spot as well with youthful squads after graduating the majority of starters last season.

In the pool, San Marcos girls water polo sits atop the local teams with a strong core returning from its undefeated Channel League season last year, including some of the top players in the nation in Charlotte Raisin and Lucy Haaland-Ford.

Santa Barbara High will field a young team while Dos Pueblos should be in line for another playoff-bound season.

Santa Barbara High and San Marcos boys soccer reached the postseason last year after solid seasons in what proved to be a strong and balanced Channel League.

As for girls soccer, Dos Pueblos is the only local team coming off a playoff appearance as the Dons and Royals look to join them for the 2024-25 season.

While most teams begin their years with non-league action this week, the lone local league showdown will be between Santa Barbara and Dos Pueblos girls water polo at Elings Aquatic Center on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m.