Mike McKean/Assistant Sports Editor | Posted: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 12:00 am
In the space of one year, Hancock/s Anthony Melton had gone from an All-Western State Conference football player to a name on a list of injured players for the Bulldogs.
That/s why coach Kris Dutra was moved to speak on Melton/s behalf during Monday/s meeting of the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Roundtable, at which Melton was named Male Athlete of the Week.
“He/s a pretty special athlete,C Dutra said at Giavanni/s Pizza in Orcutt. “He/d been All-conference last year, but been hurt for most of this year. This/ll be a neat thing for him.C
Melton, a sophomore from Delano, garnered the award for his first game back, Saturday/s 55-28 WSC victory over LA Valley, in which Melton rushed for 110 yards and three Bulldog scores.
Having Melton back will help the Bulldogs/ cause coming into this week/s game against Canyons, a team in the top three of some national junior college rankings. The winner of the game, in Santa Clarita on Saturday night, will take the lead in the WSC North standings.
“We/ve got to go down there and play them at their place, so it/s not going to be easy,C said Dutra, accompanied by linebacker Rick Aguilar. “I feel we/re better prepared for them this year than we ever have been.
“I don/t know what/s going to happen on Saturday, but I think we/ve got a chance.C
The volleyball program, represented by assistant coach Nick Reisbeck and players Lacy Camp, Sara Stromberg and Alyssa Giorgi.
Valley Christian Academy
Lara Hertzog has been the focal point of the Lions/ volleyball offense this season, including a 79-kill week in three Coast Valley League matches last week, earning her Female Athlete of the Week honors.
“She/s been dominant in every area of play this year,C coach Stan Bickley said. “Along with the 79 kills, she had somewhere between 30 and 40 digs. She/s one of the main reasons of the success we/re having.C
Joining Hertzog and Bickley were teammates Emily Hedlund and Martha Sandoval.
Also on hand were football players Andrew Kiger and Josh Anaya.
Lompoc
AD Dick Barrett stood in for all three sports, starting with Lindsay Pedego from the LPL-leading golf team.
“This is only her first year playing golf with us, and she/s contributed greatly to our success,C Barrett said. “It/s been a battle with Santa Ynez this year. This week/s going to be important.C
Randy Muro and Sam Ruiz appeared from a Braves football team that sat through a bye last weekend but is currently holding a 21-game LPL win streak.
Megan Michel represented the volleyball program.
“We/ve been competitive in the games, but just can/t get over that hump and get the Ws,C Barrett said. “We/ve been impressed with how hard the girls are working.C
Cabrillo
Football coach Don Cross brought was joined by running back Vai Taua and kicker Casey Belluz.
“Casey/s right up therer with some of the best kickers in CIF,C Cross said of Belluz, who kicked a 44-yard field goal in last Friday/s LPL loss to Morro Bay. “It could have been 54 easily, so he/s got quite a leg on him.C
St. Joseph
Assistant coach Gordy Henderson stood in for football coach Mike Hartman, one of several Knights taking part in a golfing fundraiser.
“I think we were fortunate to have a bye before we played Santa Ynez last week,C said Henderson of the Knights/ 41-21 Los Padres League victory. “We went into the game pretty well rested, while they were coming off a game vs. Lompoc, a very hard game.C
Joining him were starters Daniel Rudolph and Philip Adam.
Also involved in the golfing fundraiser was golf coach Dottie Lyons, coming in late after playing 54 holes in the morning.
“We may be a little tired after this morning, but the girls can still go and play their (LPL) match today,C said Lyons, joined by “superstarsC Maranda Gaspar and Nancy Bentivegna.
Staci McCracken stood in for volleyball coach Tammy Hartman, joined by teammate Stephanie Cusack.
Santa Maria
Football caoch Shawn Ramirez talked about the team/s LPL loss at Nipomo last Friday. He was joined by outside linebacker Richard Garwood, “who may be playing some inside linebacker this week,C according to Ramirez, and teammate Steven Hernandez.
Pioneer Valley
With football sitting out last week, the volleyball team was the lone group represented, headed by coach Dave Guzman and players Melissa Lagan, Brittany Verdin and Nikki Doyle.
“Things were a little tough for us, playing the No. 1 (Nipomo) and No. 2 (Santa Ynez) teams in our league,C Guzman said. “We threw everything we had at them, but they were very strong. Still, we had some respectable scores.C
Also on hand was athletic director Jim Doyle.
Righetti
Receiver Adam Wilson stood in for father and head coach Gary Wilson in talking about the Warriors/ PAC-5 loss to Atascadero.
“We played a strong first half, but we had some injuries catch up to us in the second half,C the younger Wilson said. “We tried to stay with it until the end.C
Kari Overholtzer spoke on behalf of volleyball teammates Sarah Spence and Monica Valencia.
“We suffered some PAC-5 losses last week, but we played well together at times,C Overholtzer said. “It was a confidence-builder, especially after what/s happened earlier in the year.C
Athletic director Eric Albright stood in for golf coach Tracy Davis, joined by golfer Tanya Allen.
Assistant Sports Editor Mike McKean can be reached at 739-2236 or by e-mail at mmckean@santamariatimes.com
October 25, 2005