By Brian Stanley
Contributing Writer
Leading the Santa Ynez Pirates football team in All-Channel League selections is senior Jasper Kadlec, named Utility Player of the Year for the 2018 season.
“Jasper did so much for us this year, receiving, rushing, defense and returning kicks,” said Santa Ynez football head coach Josh McClurg. “He never left the field.”
Playing both sides of the ball, Kadlec collected 565 receiving yards, pulling in 10 touchdown grabs, and 154 yards rushing on offense while recording 32 tackles and one interception on defense. On kick-off returns Kadlec tallied 337 return yards.
Kadlec finished the season averaging 99.2 all-purpose yards per game for the Pirates.
Santa Ynez received seven First Team and eight Second Team selections for the All-League team, with most of the picks going to the defensive unit.
“Our entire starting defense was either first or second team,” McClurg said. “I think it says a lot about our guys playing as one unit and not 11 individuals. We were truly a no-name defense. There was not one superstar on defense for us.”
Leading the way on the First Team defense was senior lineman Juan Sanchez, who McClurg says could have easily won the Utility Player of the Year award as well.
Sanchez “started at defensive line, he was also the best punter in the league, he played quarterback for two games, started at offensive line for two games, and started at fullback two games.”
Sanchez finished the season with 51 tackles, including 18 solo.
Joining Sanchez on the First Team defense are junior lineman Tyler Germani, senior linebackers Vinny Vacca and Alex Lammers, and senior defensive back Dylan Hamilton.
Second Team defensive selections were senior defensive backs Nathan Crandall and Eddy Sanchez, senior lineman Misael Hernandez, senior linebacker Mateo Baca and junior linebacker Dean Tipolt.
“Lammers, Vacca, Crandall, and Eddie Sanchez were our vocal leaders out there and they made all of our checks and adjustments,” McClurg said. “We ask a lot of our guys mentally in our defensive scheme. It is not easy to play in our scheme, and our group this year really stepped up to the plate.”
The Pirates starting defensive unit finished collectively with 678 total tackles, holding opponents to an average of 16.6 points per game.
Making the First Team offensive unit were senior running back Cash Transeth and senior lineman Marco Lazarit. The Pirates included in the Second Team offense were sophomore wide receiver Cameron Prendergast and senior lineman Luis Samaan.
Receiving Honorable Mentions from the Channel League were seniors Michael Nuzzolio and Eduardo Silva, junior Quincy Valle, and quarterbacks Anthony Gills, a junior, and Bennett Redell, a sophomore.
“Gills and Redell deserved their honorable mention recognition. I hope that those two have the best off-season in the weight room and working with the guys,” McClurg said. “We will lean heavily on both of them next year in one way or the other, and I’m sure in new ways as well.”
The Pirates football team finished with a 6-5 overall record, 3-2 league record and the team’s first CIF Southern Section playoff appearance since the 2013 season.
BOYS WATER POLO
Earning First Team All-Channel League honors for the Santa Ynez boys water polo team were senior team captain Keller Haws and junior Henry Allen.
“The balanced attack of both (Haws and Allen) led us to be a competitive team in the Channel League,” said Santa Ynez boys water polo head coach Jake Kalkowski.
Allen, a three-year starter on varsity, led the Pirates in scoring this season with 104 goals. The junior utility player also collected 48 steals and 15 assists.
“He would often occupy the center position and control more of our half-court offense. He did a great job developing the other players and helping them to become better,” Kalkowski said.
Wrapping up his high school career as a four-year starter for the Pirates, Haws scored 92 goals, captured 76 steals and 30 assists.
“His strength was in our transition game as he was a quick swimmer with great anticipation. He led us on many of our fast break opportunities,” Kalkowski said. “His game knowledge helped out tremendously on defense as well, as he led our team in steals.”
Making the All-League Second Team for the Pirates were senior Jacob Theilst and junior Clayton Davidson. Senior Mateo Del Solar received an Honorable Mention from the Channel League.
The boys’ water polo team tallied a 17-12 record this season, going 4-4 in league play and earning a CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoff berth.
GIRLS GOLF
The Pirates girls golf team received four Second Team All-League selections in Santa Ynez’s first season in the Channel League.
Leading Santa Ynez’s selections were senior Gracie Church and junior Morgan Blunt, and both were also named team Co-Most Valuable Players.
Blunt led the Pirates with a season average low score of 49.2, shooting her best round of the year of 42 against the Dos Pueblos Chargers at Glen Annie Golf Club. She was also named Female Athlete of the Week by the Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table (NSBCART) at the first luncheon of the season.
Church wasn’t far behind Blunt with her season average score, shooting an average of 49.3.
Church, the only senior selection for the Pirates, shot a season best 44 against Santa Barbara at the Santa Barbara Golf Club, Dos Pueblos at Glen Annie, and Cabrillo at The Mission Club.
Also making the Second Team were juniors Marina Vengel and Olivia Cortopassi. Vengel received the Most Improved honor from her team while Cortopassi, who advanced to Day 2 of the league finals, was awarded the Pirates’ Coach’s Award.
As a team the Pirates finished the season with a 9-8 record while going 4-6 in the Channel League.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Leading the All-League selections for the Pirates’ girls volleyball team was junior Kylie Clouse, who was named to the Channel League First Team.
Named to the Second Team for Santa Ynez was senior Gillian Wilks, and senior Lauren Fieldhouse and juniors Amanda Krystikowiak and Rylynn Ibarra received Honorable Mentions.
Santa Ynez closed out the season going 14-11 overall and 5-5 in league play.
GIRLS TENNIS
Making the All-Channel League First Team in girls tennis for Santa Ynez was junior Claire Collison. The Pirates’ No. 1 singles player was also honored with Female Athlete of the Week by the NSBCART in September.
Freshman Sophia Curti was named to the girls tennis Second Team. Receiving Honorable Mentions for the Pirates were junior Lauren Thorburn and freshman Emmy Withrow.
Girls tennis finished the season with a 13-10 record, going 3-7 in the team’s first season in the Channel League.
