Santa Barbara's Sports News and Information
OK, the truth is…I suck at golf.Total hacker!!But, that doesn’t stop me from playing every chance I get.In fact, it’s so bad … I don’t keep score … liberally use mulligans (free do-overs) … move my ball for a better lie in the ruff, much to the horror of real golfers around me… take provisionals (hit a second ball) in the likely case my first is lost anywhere near trees or out-of-bounds (often) …So on the recent MLK holiday, it’s La Cumbre Country Club … [Read more...]
PHOTO GALLERY INTRO: Just like any year, the 12 months of 2011 were filled with a ton of great local sports moments. Presidio Sports has collected its favorite images from the last year to bring you back.Take a look back at some of our photographs from the past year, taken by Vince Agapito, Randy Weiss and John Dvorak.Many great photos didn't make the final cut, but only because we couldn't include them all.Here's to 2012!!!ALSO: 2011 Performances of the Year ** 2011 local … [Read more...]
Presidio Sports is proud to have been able to highlight 11 local sports figures in 2011 as part of our Sports Figure of the Month series that we began back in February with the support from presenting sponsor American Riviera Bank.The series was created to recognize individuals in our athletic community that do big things, whether it be on the playing field, in the workplace, or in the community.Our Sports Figures of the Month profiles, written exclusively by Presidio Sports … [Read more...]
Fresh off of finishing her fabulous Dos Pueblos High School tennis career -- one punctuated with an unprecedented 135-0 league record and a ‘4-peat’ as Channel League singles champion -- Lauren Stratman has been named Presidio Sports Sports Figure of the Month for November 2011.Equally amazing, perhaps, with this Columbia University-bound senior is her 4.8 scholastic GPA that underscores the same grit, determination and total commitment in her classes … as on the courts.It’s all … [Read more...]
“I’m a lucky guy,” he says. “I could have easily died or been paralyzed forever.” ---Andre BarbieriThe Grand Finale of our inaugural 2011 Presidio Sports Sports Figure of the Month series celebrates the indomitable positive power of the human spirit -- especially following one of life’s darkest moments.Nine months after a horrific Mammoth snowboarding accident damn near killed him and claimed most of his left leg, Andre Barbieri -- our December Sports Figure of the Month … [Read more...]
It came early this year …September, actually.And it was a gift many years in the making – 36 by last count.Three-missed calls one night in rapid-fire succession on my cell phone nearly a year before that, unknowingly, set things in motion.All three calls from same number. Area code 9-1-9.No clue where that was …So, immediately after next morning java – there was only one thing to do.It rang twice, then this after hello …Me: Ah, yes, hi, er …I had … [Read more...]
She’s a Midwest girl at heart.Mt. Prospect, where she grew up, is a 40-minute northwest ride from Chicago.Her dad, Bob was an electrician and mom, Donna, a waitress.Adrienne Hengels is the last of four kids – there’s Steve, Jeff and Denise before her.“We were, and still are, a very close knit family,” she said.This Hengels played basketball, volleyball and track.She gave 110% in practice.Got A’s in her classes.And dreamed like all kids do … [Read more...]
It’s a new day for Carlene Mitchell …She’s loving her uber-smooth transition from East Coast ‘Joisey’ living to her new digs on Southern California’s sandy shores.Especially today.And with her shift west, UCSB’s new women’s hoops coach brings her A-game.It’s why she’s here.And it’s the only game she knows …Arkansas-native Mitchell is fresh off a 10-year stint as Rutgers associate head coach for All-World Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer – a prime … [Read more...]
They could be the newest generation of world class triathletes and Ironman competitors.But for now they’re just little kids savoring summer fun.There are 30 of ‘em -- age six to 11 -- attending the Dos Pueblos Kids Triathlon Camp this week.And on Saturday morning they’ll put these swimming, biking and running skills to the test at the Santa Barbara Kids Triathlon – also being held right here at the DPHS sports complex.For many, it will be their first official … [Read more...]
It’s Saturday in Santa Barbara.And it seems like everyone’s watching …That’s because Kate’s in town with her polo-playing Prince.Kobe’s here too, actually – only he’s got a signing (non-polo) gig going down …So there’s an ‘extra buzz’ all around.But, ain’t nothin’ we can’t handle -- YO!!And then, of course, under the global radar screen --there are the normal … everyday …wonderful … fun events that make Santa Barbara such as awesome … [Read more...]
Bulletin!! Bulletin!! Bulletin!!We interrupt this sportz column to bring you yet another potential Pulitzer Prize winning, special WeissCrax Investigative Report!!So do that ‘60 Minutes’-like- clock-ticking-noise-in-your-head-thing-here and let’s get this show started … tick …. tick … tick …Meet John Ramirez.He’s a soft-spoken young man and a recent Dos Pueblos grad who just finished Santa Monica City College.He loves life.He loves his family.And, … [Read more...]
Scratch ‘crashing ladies night’ off The Bucket List …Done as of last Saturday … and, oh, what a night!!In fact, in the middle of all these great tunes blasting away – golden oldies like Pretty Woman - THE most amazing thing happened (… hey, do your best Rodney Dangerfield imitation here …) a baseball game broke out!!WHOA!!Yes - Ladies Night at UCSB’s cozy Caesar Uyesaka Stadium – home of the two-time Wooorld Champs … your Santa Barbara … [Read more...]
