WeissCrax: French birds of a feather

Mark French Hallf of Fame game

They flew in from near and far …From perches Newport Beach … Westwood … Seattle … Phoenix … Hawaii … China … and everywhere else.Now fully-fledged, they all flocked home in near-formation to the Mother Nest for a blast of nourishment.They came in droves!“This thing just snowballed,” offered The Organizer & Legend of the Dome, Barb Beainy, the one with the shortest flight from, well, right here in SB.‘This thing’ she is referring to is aka: Gaucho … [Read more...]

Royals learn do’s and don’ts on trip to Arizona

SBART president Rich Hanna, left, accepts a check from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust for its sponsorship of the weekly press luncheons at Harry's.

Road trips can provide a good learning experience for teams.The San Marcos baseball team gained some valuable lessons while in Tucson, Ariz., playing in the Chris Moon Memorial Cherry Field Classic last week.The Royals learned they have some talented players in the lower level programs. Sophomore JV catcher Parker Rosenburg and freshman team pitcher Sean Nakano-West turned in good performances during the week-long tournament, assistant coach Michael Sandford said at Monday’s Santa … [Read more...]

SPORTS FIGURE OF THE MONTH: Ryan Fitch

Ryan Finch raised more money at this year's jog-a-thon than any other classmate at El Camino Junior High.

Presidio Sports is proud to announce Ryan Fitch as our Local Sports Figure of the Month for February, 2012. Not only is Ryan an active participant in local athletics, but he and his family have directly been involved in expanding support services for local families with Down Syndrome.Presidio Sports recognizes a local sports figure every month for their extraordinary contribution to the Santa Barbara athletic community. It is our way to recognize those who have made a positive impact on … [Read more...]

WeissCrax: Teed off on No. 13

Randy's putting woes on the 13th green are familiar to many

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...]

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR: Our Top Sports Images of 2011

YFL_Frame

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...]

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A look back at 2011′s local Sports Figures of the Month

John and Mardi Warkentin made an impact in 2011 with a $500,000 donation that made the new turf field at San Marcos High School a reality.

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...]

SPORTS FIGURE OF THE MONTH: Lauren Stratman

Stratman and doubles partner xxx

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...]

SPORTS FIGURE OF THE MONTH: Andre Barbieri

Andre Barbieri

“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...]

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WeissCrax: Thankful for ‘Carolina Christmas’

WeissCrax author Randy Weiss, right, with his old professor and mentor

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...]

WeissCrax: Yoga guru Hengels flexible & thankful for life’s challenges

Adrienne

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...]

WeissCrax: Tawkin’ Beach, BBQ & Gaucho B-ball

The women's basketball team's first game in on November 11.

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...]

Prelude to the SB Triathlon: ‘On your mark …’

lines in sand

It’s known as “tapering” in triathlon-speak.That final countdown of saving energy the last few days before a race.Taking life easy … chillin’ …. hangin’ loose … whatever you want to call it — it’s all the same.The training is done.Nearly everyone tapers — seasoned athletic studs like Dave Groom and Whitney Bruice do.Even triathlon rookies — a la Ben Romo and those in training groups like Momentum-4-Life and Moms in Motion are resting and staying … [Read more...]