Apparently Danielle Gillaspy will let her clubs do the talking. The St. Joseph junior had very little to say when she came forward to accept her female athlete of the week award.

Gillaspy won the award at the weekly Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Roundtable luncheon held at Giavanni's Pizza on Monday afternoon.

“I'd like to thank my coach Š uh, yeah,” she said before walking away.

The very shy golfer has had an extremely solid beginning to the 2008 golf season. Last Monday Gillaspy shot a 39 at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in a Knights dual match victory over Arroyo Grande, then followed that with a 37 at Rancho Maria on Thursday to lead St. Joseph to a Los Padres League Tournament win.

For the second week in a row, Hancock College football had the male athlete of the week.

On week after running back John Sua scored four touchdown with over 120 yards rushing in a win over Pierce, his teammate Diondre Bryant ran for 217 yards and also scored four TDs in Hancock's 48-38 win over Citrus.

“I call him the tornado,” said Hancock coach Kris Dutra.

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Bryant thanked his coach and also his offensive line for opening up the middle of the line for him.

St. Joseph

Dottie Lyons also introduced two more golfers from her team, junior Chloe Dunn, a returning player, “a well-rounded girl who keeps her grades up - and that's really important.”

Also in attendance was freshman Marissa Gutierrez, “she is working really hard.”

Volleyball coach Tammy Hartman brought her two middle blockers, Aly Beebe and Mary Clare Regali, from a Knights team that's 2-0 in the LPL

“Mary Clare served nine critical points against a feisty Morro Bay team,” said Hartman. “And Aly - who's a freshman - is leading the team in blocks.”

Football coach Mike Hartman brought three players who had good games in the opening Los Padres League win over Cabrillo last Friday. He introduced Dale Gillaspy, who played on the offensive and defensive, place kicker Anthony Gallegos and running back Bobby Puerling.

“He's the kind of hard working guy you want on your team,” Hartman said about Puerling.

Hancock

Three of the reasons Bryant was so successful running was the blocking up front. Dutra introduced center Clayton Cullen, strong guard Tyler Vogt and tight end Dorson Boyce.

“We rushed for 405 yards and these guys opened up some huge holes,” Dutra said.

He also recognized team manager/practice videographer/game statistician Stephen Hodges, “who has been invaluable to the coaching staff,” Dutra said.

Dutra also talked about youth football night at the Hancock game Saturday against Canyons at 6 p.m. Any football player wearing his game jersey will be admitted free of charge.

“We want to get as many people out there as possible,” Dutra said.

Valley Christian

With athletic director Pete Fortier not present, there were two newcomers to the luncheon. The first was Lions volleyball coach Jill Callahan. Being new to the luncheons, Callahan was not sure what to say.

She did present her two outside hitters Adrianne Scheetz and Caitlin Salinas.

“We're having fun right now,” Callahan said.

Assistant football coach Randy Stanford said the team is improving every week, before introducing Matt Charlesworth, a sophomore tight end and linebacker and David Zepeda, who plays wide receiver, running back and “anywhere on defense I need him,” said Stanford.

Stanford also thanked Pioneer Valley for helping in the painting of the football field at Valley Christian in time for Friday's game.

Santa Ynez

Co-head football coach Brian Wallace brought four players to the luncheon.

Justin Peters has three interceptions so far in the season, Chase Thompson has seven sacks and several tackles for a loss, Daniel Wagstaffe has helped the team prepare playing on the scout team, and lineman Mark Suarez, “He's our MVP on offense so far this season.

Santa Maria

Crucial mistakes cost the Saints in Friday's football game against Arroyo Grande, but Mike Pope liked things that he saw.

“There are things we are learning and we did do better as far as our turnover ratio,” Pope said.

He is looking forward to this week's home game against Cabrillo.

“I know both teams are hungry to get a win, So it should be a good game.”

Pope presented offensive and defensive lineman Ivan Solario, “who anchors the lines,” and Rickey Mendez, “ who stepped in at center,” and did a good job.

Righetti

Football coach Gary Wilson talked about his win over Santa Barbara, a team that almost exclusively threw the ball.

“My hat is off to my defense,” Wilson said, “they played real well.”

Wilson introduced Matt Miller, who leads the team in tackles and Eric Aros a special team specialists.

Wilson said that each week his team seems to suffer the loss of a key player each week.

“If we can keep our kids healthy and get back one or two guys,” Wilson stated, “we will be very well represented in the PAC-7.”

Volleyball has had their injury problems as well.

“Something must be going on at Righetti because in volleyball we have the same thing,” coach Diana Strasbaugh, echoing Wilson about injuries. “We have a little injury problem too.”

The Warriors lost a player last week to an appendicitis and one two weeks ago with an ankle injury.

Strasbaugh presented two senior leaders on her team, outside hitter Jayne Bruno and opposite Christine Fahey.

Tracy Davis has been thrilled with her girls golf team this season.

“This team is the best team I've ever had and I've coached some pretty darn good teams,” said the long-time coach. “We've won league the last four years, but this team out-does them by 20 to 30 strokes every day.”

Davis introduced Mareon Smit who was a medalist for the first time last week. She also introduced Makayla Mier - a multi-medalist on the year.

Pioneer Valley

The Panthers football team had a bye last Friday, which was a good thing.

“It was much needed - we were a little banged up,” coach Greg Dickinson said.

Dickinson introduced senior offensive and defensive tackle Kyle Coleman, “he has been a big part of our offense's success,” and senior Carlos Chavez, a four-year member of the Panthers program.

Dickinson opened his remarks with a comment about the local football scene.

“There is a lot of good football going on in the Central Coast this year,” he said to all the athletes in attendance. “And you guys should be proud to be part of something special - which is high school sports.”

Lompoc

Athletic Director Jesse Davis presented setter Stephani Olsen and middle blocker Cameron Lizzarraga from the volleyball team.

“Both of these young ladies - coach says are very coachable and they are the leaders of the squad this year,” Davis explained. “They do a wonderful job of working with the younger girls on the team.”

Davis brought two football players, running back Bobby Collins and lineman Adam Leach. Collins had somewhere between 170 to 180, “depending on what newspaper you read,” according to Davis, and two touchdowns.

Leach made two big tackles in last week's Dos Pueblos game.

Cabrillo

Athletic Director Bob Lawrence brought two golfers from the second-year program, junior captain Paige Hurlbut and freshman number one player Morgan Salm.

“It's been a season of firsts,” Lawrence said. “We had our first win a couple weeks ago against Lompoc and we finished third in a tournament last week out of six teams - so everything is exciting for the girls.”

Volleyball was represented by captain and outside hitter Megan Smith and junior middle blocker Tiffany Lee.

“They are really excited about their play and about being together as a team,” Lawrence said.

Football coach Craig Knowles said his father gave him sage advise after Cabrillo's loss to St. Joseph.

“I've gotten a lot of advice being the new coach and my dad always gives me the best advice,” Knowles explained. “He coached for 35 years and he said, ‘Craig don't worry, it won't be the last time in your coaching career that you get blown out like this,' Thanks Dad.”

Knowles introduced his leading receiver Jeff Esparza and three-year starting offensive lineman David Culp.

Sept. 30, 2008