SBART Luncheon: Pessia Fygenson Named Dos Pueblos Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Pessia Fygenson accepted the Dos Pueblos Scholar-Athlete of the Year award and local spring sports teams returned from Spring Break at Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.

The majority of high school sports are entering the second half of their league seasons, and many local teams find themselves in contention for CIF-SS postseason play.

This week could go a long way in determining league standings, as there are plenty of crosstown battles in several different sports in the coming days.

Pessia Fygenson Named Dos Pueblos Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Fygenson, a standout swimmer for the Chargers, has done it all throughout her high school career and was rewarded as the school’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The senior races in the 100 fly and the medley relay squad for Dos Pueblos and plans to continue swimming on a club team in college.

“Swimming puts you in a place where you meet your limit, try testing it and actually feel it extend,” Fygenson said.

While she is strong in the pool, she really shines in the classroom. Fygenson boasts a 4.96 GPA, is an AP Scholar with distinction and has been a member of the National Honors Society for four years.

She is a member of the Electrical Department of the Engineering Academy, the ASB Class Treasurer and the co-founder and president of the Self Care Club at Dos Pueblos.

Fygenson is also an active member in the community, accumulating an impressive 1,058 hours of community service. She has volunteered at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for two years and has facilitated the opening of wellness centers across the SB Unified School District.

“Thank you to my parents for the support, not just the driving but the emotional support helping me balance and just keep going when times get hard and I feel overwhelmed,” Fygenson said.

“I want to thank my coach Chrissie Cable for how understanding (she is) and she’s really helped me through four years with keeping up motivation and managing all the stress that comes with being a student and the best athlete I can be

Fygenson is the eighth of 11 Scholar-Athletes of the Year for the 2024-25 school year, joining Carpinteria’s Keyla Manriquez, Providence’s Sarah Monroy, Laguna Blanca’s Chloe Gidney, Santa Barbara’s Gwen Chenoweth, San Marcos’ Andres Villa, Bishop Diego’s Sophia Regan and Cate’s Daisy Gemberling.

The award is sponsored by Marc Gamberdella of the Gamberdella-Spruill Group of Merrill Lynch.

Packed Week of Rivalry Action

The spring sports season is the busiest of the year, and the week ahead is no exception. From the diamond to the track, local student-athletes are set to shine as they enter the second half of the regular season.

Here are all of the games around town featuring one or more local squads going head-to-head in league play.

Tuesday, April 1

Santa Barbara @ Dos Pueblos Boys Tennis, 3 p.m.
Santa Barbara @ Dos Pueblos Baseball, 3:30 p.m.
Dos Pueblos @ Santa Barbara Softball, 3:30 p.m.
San Marcos @ Dos Pueblos Boys Lacrosse, 6 p.m.
Dos Pueblos @ San Marcos Girls Lacrosse, 6 p.m.
Santa Barbara @ Dos Pueblos Boys Volleyball, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 2

Santa Barbara, San Marcos @ Dos Pueblos Track & Field Crosstown Showdown, 3 p.m.

Thursday, April 3

San Marcos @ Dos Pueblos Girls Beach Volleyball, 3 p.m.
San Marcos @ Dos Pueblos Swim & Dive, 2 p.m.
Dos Pueblos @ Cate Boys Lacrosse, 6 p.m.
Cate @ Dos Pueblos Girls Lacrosse, 6 p.m.

Friday, April 4

Dos Pueblos @ Santa Barbara Baseball, 3:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara @ Dos Pueblos Softball, 3:30 p.m.
San Marcos, Santa Barbara, Dos Pueblos @ Santa Barbara Boys Volleyball Tournament of Champions

Saturday, April 5