LOCAL SPORTS PULSE
Each week PresidioSports.com publishes a running dialogue of updates and thoughts concerning the local sports scene, along with an occasional blend of national sports issues and events.
FRIDAY
–Gauchos Luis Silva, James Kiffe and Sam Garza are taking part in the Major League Soccer Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Silva, a projected first-round pick in next week’s MLS SuperDraft, impressed soccer pundits covering the combine. CLICK HERE. Adam Serrano of Soccer by Ives writes a nice piece about Silva overcoming adversity as a young kid.
–The UCSB/Asics Invitational is here. The annual preseason men’s volleyball tournament at UCSB starts today and will crown a champion on Saturday. The Gauchos are ranked No. 14 in the country to start the season. UCSB opens up against Ohio State in a rematch of last year’s NCAA title match. For a complete schedule of matches and results, CLICK HERE
THURSDAY
–There has been a shakeup at CBS KCOY Santa Maria and sports anchor Kevin Roose is amongst 12 employees who lost their jobs on Wednesday. Roose had been at the station since 2005. Although they have yet to comment, KCOY has apparently eliminated their entire sports department. Dave Alley will stay on as a news reporter.
—UCSB’s men’s basketball team is playing tonight at the Thunderdome for the first time since November. The Gauchos finished off a five-game string of road games with a 58-57 win at Cal Poly on Monday in their Big West Conference opener. Tonight Cal State Fullerton comes to town.
–San Marcos and Santa Barbara High played a double-overtime classic last night at SBCC’s Sports Pavilion. The Dons ended up beating the Royals for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. For video highlights and interviews, CLICK HERE.
WEDNESDAY
—Rick Caruso, known in Santa Barbara for his ownership of the Miramar Hotel property in Montecito, got a boost to his bid to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers as Joe Torre resigned from his post of Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball on Tuesday. Torre’s resignation allows him to officially team up with Caruso, becoming one of the leading groups to take over ownership of the Dodgers from Frank McCourt.
–Another day of fantastic weather in January. temperatures flirting with 80 degrees on the coast and even higher off the waterfront. In other weather-related news, a massive swell is approaching and is due to hit the California coast. While we have been seeing waves all week, the next 24 hours is supposed to pack the greatest punch for California. Check out Surfline.com’s photo gallery from the West Coast and Hawaii. Gallery includes photo of Dane Reynolds at Rincon.
–Tonight is big Channel League boys basketball game between San Marcos and Santa Barbara High. The rivalry clash will be held at SBCC’s Sports Pavilion at 7 p.m. for anyone thinking of attending.
—Semana Nautica, Santa Barbara’s summer sports festival, has announced its 2012 dates. It will run from Friday, June 29th until Monday, July 9. CLICK HERE to view a schedule of events.
TUESDAY
–Watch highlights from last night’s thrilling UCSB-Cal Poly men’s basketball game. Orlando Johnson’s game-winning 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left gave Bob Williams his 223rd win at UCSB, moving him into the all-time lead ahead of Jerry Pimm. [VIDEO]
–Tonight’s Channel League wrestling match between Dos Pueblos and San Marcos has been moved from tonight to tomorrow at 5 p.m. The dual meet will still be at Dos Pueblos.
MONDAY
—Unreal weather today capped by an unreal sunset. Check out this video of a late-afternoon bike ride on the Santa Barbara waterfront. [VIDEO]
–Now that it’s 2012, it’s time to think about Sundance Beach’s fifth annual Surf Video Contest. They are seeking submissions which are due by February 22. CLICK HERE to find out how to enter. Good Luck!!!
