Two amazing performances were delivered by a pair of St. Joseph athletes last week.

On Thursday night, Dayna Drewniak had a career night for the Knights’ volleyball team. Drewniak had 27 kills, 22 digs and five serving aces in a five set marathon loss to Morro Bay.

For her efforts Drewniak was named the female Athlete of the Week at the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Roundtable luncheon held Monday at Giavanni’s Pizza.

“Thank you to my team,” Drewniak said when accepting her award. “Even though we lost, we played amazing and without them I wouldn’t have got this today.”

Junior K.J. Cusack scored four touchdowns in the Knights’ 55-6 romp of Nipomo in a Friday football game — none on an offensive play.

After returning an interception for a 47-yard touchdown, Cusack followed with a 60-yard punt return for a score, then in the second half he returned two kickoffs for TDs (84 & 87 yards).

As Drewniak did, Cusack paid tribute to his teammates.

Advertisement

“I owe it to my team,” he said. “I wouldn’t have won it without the team.”

Cabrillo

“As a longtime teacher and coach myself I know how difficult it is to coach and teach during the season,” athletic director Bob Lawrence began, “so I want to commend all you student-athletes for what you are doing.

“Obviously you are good athletes — you wouldn’t be here — but you are also good students as well.

Lawrence then introduced senior Chelsea McCarty, who plays the backline on the volleyball team.

“Her senior project is sending gifts to soldiers in Iraq, because her brother is in Iraq.”

Gabby Hott and Jade Stevens are both sophomores on the golf team which is currently in third place in the LPL. Both good students, they carry 3.5 GPAs.

Football coach Craig Knowles presented two juniors, Kaleb Mickens and Alberto Garcia —both who play wingback on offense and cornerback on defense.

“We are really optimistic and looking forward to our next three league games,” Knowles said. “We feel we can do well in all three of those games and get into CIF.”

Lompoc

Athletic director Jesse Davis had to escort golfer Jocelyn Caudillo out before he could introduce her. Her coach was there to pick Caudillo up for the trip to Morro Bay for a dual match.

It must have been the pizza as Cadillo was the medalist in a victory later in the afternoon.

“She is a nice young lady to be around,” Davis said about Caudillo. “She works and is always upbeat.”

Davis introduced two players from the volleyball squad, junior co-captain Brandy Machado and sophomore Erica Slikker.

He joked that Machado has been around forever, even though she is only 16.

“She seems like she’s been around a long time because she’s always been a varsity player,” he said.

He also mentioned that Machado and Slikker — who was the team MVP at the recent Coast Union Tournament — were both scholar-athletes.

Davis introduced nose guard Saul Domingues, who played well with seven tackles and a sack in Lompoc’s loss to Paso Robles.

Santa Ynez

The Pirates football team had a very successful Friday night defeating Morro Bay 27-16.

“We beat Morro Bay which was ranked fifth in the CIF — it was a big win for us,” Co-head coach Brian Wallace said as he presented four players.

Wallace also introduced Karrisa Avila from the Los Padres League leading golf team.

St. Joseph

Golf coach Dottie Lyons pointed out that a successful team takes more than a couple outstanding golfers. The role players are just as valuable as the scores are added up.

“We always talk about the leading girls of the pack,” Lyons explained, “but I brought three of my support girls today. Without these three girls and their great scores, we wouldn’t be in second place right now.”

Lyons presented senior Christy Mahan and two freshmen Kelsey Wong and Danika Cochiolo.

Lyons also complimented first place Santa Ynez.

“Coach Smith is an absolutely wonderful lady and her girls are really good girls too, as well as our whole league,” Lyons said.

Volleyball coach Tammy Hartman brought three other players from her team in addition to Drewniak — all seniors — setter Mariah Vail, lobero Alexis Dudley and outside hitter Lizzy Mitchell.

The Knights are 5-2 in the LPL currently in second place.

Football coach Mike Hartman wanted his team to get off to a quick start on Friday at Nipomo and they did in the big win.

He presented senior defensive back Colin Crist and three juniors — wide receiver Jordan Puhek, lineman Zach Perron and Cusack.

Righetti

Volleyball coach Diana Strasbaugh brought Lauren Vaughn, Christine Fahey and Mallory Pina — all who had good games and contributed several kills each.

“We had a really good week last week,” Strabaugh said about the opening week in PAC-7 play with a victory over Pioneer Valley and a five-game loss to Nipomo.

The Warriors will have another busy week playing Arroyo Grande and Mission Prep before traveling to San Gabriel over the weekend.

Football coach Gary Wilson brought luncheon semi-regulars Javon Davis, Matt Miller and relative newcomer Robert Gutierrez.

“Atascadero is a real physical ball team,” Wilson said about his team’s 19-14 loss. “We had the game in our hands but a few mistakes will hurt you.”

Tracy Davis is excited about the play of her golf team. Even though the team shot a season high last Monday against Arroyo Grande they still won by 12 strokes. Then at the PAC-7 tourney on Thursday, the Warriors shot a 198.

“That’s the all-time low for a team score in the last 10 years,” Davis said. “That means everyone on the team is averaging below 40.”

Davis presented her only senior and No. 1 player Amber Lee and sophomore Dani O’Keefe, “who for the last eight weeks has not missed a day of golf — now that is dedication.”

Pioneer Valley

Athletic director Jim Doyle talked about golf and volleyball. And in spite of what they have done on the course and the court, he was quick to point out that all the girls he brought were excellent students as well.

Sophomore Tiffany Rios and freshman Sierra Martinez represented the golf team.

“Last year we did not have a girls golf team,” Doyle explained, “but this year we have 10 girls and they are improving week to week.”

Volleyball seniors Tiffany Isel and Ivory Zamarano are team leaders as well has having 3.4 and 3.5 grade point averages respectively.

Football coach Greg Dickinson introduced two juniors who have made outstanding contributions to his 6-0 squad, running back Shawn Tucker and defensive end Miguel Osuna.

“This is what high school football is all about,” Dickinson said about this Friday’s game with St. Joseph. “It’s all about playing the other schools in your community and guys you’ve played against all through youth football.

“These are the games you will always remember.”

Hancock

Football coach Kris Dutra started his comments by complimenting his new athletic director Kin Ensing, who was in attendance.

“She is very open-minded, she works hard and is very upbeat,” he said.

Dutra talked about the Bulldog victory over Pasadena last Saturday, 45-42.

“I was so proud of the guys,” he said. “Pasadena was an extremely talented team and we stood our ground.”

He introduced tight end Dorson Boyce, “He is a great down blocker and drive blocker and he had a touchdown catch.”

Eric Anderwkavich was 8-for-11 for 150 yards with three touchdowns.

October 21, 2008