drew@santaynezvalleystar.com

Photos by Daniel Dreifuss

Four wrestlers at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School earned top rankings at the mid-season Battle of the Valley annual tournament, an indication that the relatively young team is headed for even bigger things.

The SYVUHS gym was swarming Jan. 14 with hundreds of intensely focused, high-energy teenage wrestlers, coaches, and fans and family members.

According to Paolo Aglony, the team’s co-head coach, it was the largest Battle of the Valley yet.

“There are more teams here today than ever before, and they’ve come from as far away as Long Beach and Paso Robles.” he said.

By the end of the two-day event, Richie Sandoval, a freshman who’s consistently ranked among the top 20 high school wrestlers in California, had won first place while juniors Ben Schaeffer and Isaiah Smith each placed fourth and sophomore Emilio Soto took seventh. Overall, the Santa Ynez Pirates wrestling team placed ninth among the 28 participating teams.

With only one senior and a couple of juniors on the team, the large majority of the approximately 35 wrestlers are freshman and sophomores.

Many students join the team with no prior wrestling experience but, with some dedication, pick up the sport rather quickly. However, others arrive with the benefit of having participated in local wrestling camps and programs like Youth Empowered, a local fitness and education youth outreach program operated by Chantalle Castellanos.

Castellanos is also one of three assistant coaches for the Pirates, alongside Zack Tolson and Joey Norcia.

As more kids begin wrestling at an earlier age, Aglony and Co-Head Coach Raul Omar Sandoval have seen the size and strength of the team grow with each new group of incoming freshmen.

As a junior, Ben shares the role of team captain with Richie and Emilio, and he said the team has “really been building up” over the past three seasons.

“We’ve had great coaching, and lots of the guys have been committed to practicing all year-round.” Ben said.

He also plays for the Pirate football team and engages in other recreational sports, and he firmly asserted that wrestling requires a large amount of time and sacrifice.

“It takes a lot more heart than other sports,” he said.

The post Young Santa Ynez team places 9th out of 28 teams in annual tournament appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Star Staff

The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School football team has been working especially hard this summer to ensure that all its varsity and junior varsity players were ready for the season, and it showed as their first home game against Carpinteria High School was a victory 42-0.

“We have a lot of first-time varsity players this year and it’s been great to watch the kids bond and the older ones share their knowledge,” Head Coach Josh McClurg said.

The defense is led by returning all-league middle linebacker Travis Vreeland and AJ Reynoso, cornerbacks Michael McCoy and Gabe Prendergast, and strong safety Ben Schaeffer.

Team captains this season are Michael McCoy, Gustavo Zarate and Ramon Lazarit.

“McCoy is our quarterback and he will be joined by returning wide receiver Gabe Prendergast and tight-end Travis Vreeland. We have a strong team and can’t wait to see what they do on the field,” McClurg said.

Every Thursday you can find the varsity team on the field practicing game situations, with McClurg and his staff leading the players and showing them how to get through each play.

The schedule of the Pirates’ home games is printed in the September issue, and their entire schedule is posted at syvpirates.org.

The team’s next home game is at 4 p.m. for Junior Varsity and at 7 p.m. for Varsity on Friday, Sept. 23, when Santa Ynez hosts Templeton High School.

The post Santa Ynez Pirate Football crushes Carp with 42-0 victory appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

$50 Cash or Check made out to:  SYHS Football Boosters

You can purchase a card at any of the following locations:

El Rancho Market

Nielsen’s Market

Harrison Hardware

Julia Tipolt, State Farm (Solvang, Mission Dr.)

Pirate Store @ Friday night home games

 High School Registration days: Tue, Jul 26 and Wed, Jul 27, 8am – 1pm at the PTSA/Pirate Store table

Or Contact:

Julia Tipolt, 688-5537-w or 805-452-2124 -cell or Julia@Juliatipolt.com

Josh McClurg, 688-6487  x 3228

Football Boosters and Football Players

Jacque Wagstaffe, Jacque@impulse.net  or 895-8556 –cell

The Pirate Pass sales help raise money to support our SYHS Football teams!  Go Pirates!! 

Pirate Pass Saving Card Merchants 2016

$50 Cash or Checks to SYHS Football Boosters / Valid Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017

—————————————————————————————————————————-

1. A. ART KASLOW, DDS – Free Exam & X-Rays! $75 discount on treatment. Call 688-2269
2. ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS – 10% off oil change. $49.95 Smog Certificate (models newer than 1996)
3. ALFRESCO PICNIC in Buellton – $1.00 off any Sandwich or Salad, Monday–Wednesday, 225 McMurray Rd, 245-2864
4. ANTONIO’S PIZZA – 10% off Dine In or Take Out orders. Sorry not valid on Delivery orders.
5. ASCEND ACUPUNCTURE – 40% off second visit (cannot be used with Insurance) but we do accept insurance!  895-1164
6. AVANT TAPAS & WINE – 15% off food and wine
7. BACK AT THE RANCH –  10% off purchase, Wednesday only, Excludes furniture & lighting
8. BACON & BRINE – 10% off weekdays, lunch and dinner, including deliveries (new address of restaurant: 1618 Copenhagen Dr. Solvang)
9. BRENT & JEFF’S FLOORING – 2% off new flooring at time of purchase, Cardholder Only
10. BUELLTON GARAGE – $5.00 off any oil change.  Cannot be combined with other offers. Call for an appt: 688-3444
11. BUELLTON REC CENTER – 50% off 30 day All Access Card) Never Any Contract! Never Membership Fee.    Offer valid one per Pirate Pass. Does not apply to A La Carte classes.  buelltonrec.com
12. CALIFORNIA TACOS 1 & 2  – 10% off everything (excluding $6 menu and alcohol)
13. CHRISTINE PHOTOGRAPHY – 50% Off – One time set-up fee for a custom designed, mobile friendly Web App for your business. (Low monthly payment options).
14. COAST AUTO SALES – $100.00 discount on any vehicle in stock (ask for Tom Shean) 688-0755
15. COFFEE CABIN – 10% off all drinks (except kids drinks)
16. DANIEL GEHRS WINES, Los Olivos – Buy One Full Tasting, Get One Free, 21 and older
17. DELLAVALLE EMBROIDERY – 50% off Custom Logo Setup with first order.  10% off Garment/Embroidery orders.  10% off Custom Letterman Jacket OR orders over $75 we will donate 5% to your favorite SYVUHS Booster Club. Offers may not be combined.  693-9922
18. DESIGN ALTERNATIVES – 10% Off on Tuesday
19. DRIVE TECH DRIVING SCHOOL – $20 off Behind the wheel drivers training (6 hour course). Private Lessons 688-4502.
20. DR. J’s BIKE SHOP – 15% off purchases up to $500, valid Tuesdays only. Does not apply to bicycles, service, rentals or tours.
21. DR. SEAMOUNT SPECIALIST IN ORTHODONTICS – 15% off complete treatment
22. EL RANCHO Coffee Bar – Weekends Only (Saturday & Sunday). $1 off one coffee drink or half off one brewed coffee, per Cardholder, per day
23. FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO. – 10% daily on daught beer, growler fills and merchandise. Not to be combined with any other offer.
24. FINE WOOD INTERIORS – 10% up to $100 off any new wood floor, re-sand or re-coat. Free estimates.
25. FIRESTONE WALKER BREWING CO. – “10% off entire purchase, M-TH.  Buellton Taproom.  Cardholder only.
26. FIRST BANK – Free small safe deposit box for 1 year when you open any First Bank checking account (Solvang branch only) 
27. FRAMES BY MIREN – The only Certified Picture Framer in SB Co! 10% savings on custom picture framing and 15% savings on custom sports framing. By apt. Call/Text 331-8645 or www.framesbymiren.com
28. FRESCO VALLEY CAFÉ – 10% off order Monday & Tuesday (1 order per card). Excludes beer and wine.
29. GINO’S PIZZA – 10% off order, every day
30. GLOBAL GARDENS – 15% off Friday’s only entire selection foods & Gifts at our Los Olivos Farm Stand, 2450 Alamo Pintado Road.
31. GOOD LIFE CRAFT BEER & WINE CELLAR – 15% discount on all ‘off-premise’ bottle purchases for cardholder only. Must be 21+ in age.
32. G. Wilikers – 10% off everyday!
33. HARRISON HARDWARE – 10% off on Mon., Tues., & Wed. 1051 Edison St. location only
34. HEAVENLY HANDS – outcall massage. Receive $10 off, not to be combined with Senior Citizen Discount. 245-6758.
35. HOME CONNECTION – 15% discount on one item, Tues. or Wed. (excluding net priced items)
36. ICE IN PARADISE – New Ice Skating Rink in Goleta. 10% off Public Skate Session.  Limit 6 people.
37. INGEBORG’S CHOCOLATES – 10% off Every day, 365 Days!  Cardholder only
38. J. WOESTE, LOS OLIVOS –  10% off purchases on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
39. JIM’S SERVICE CENTER – 4 cents off per gallon.  Gasoline and Diesel fuel only.  Cash Only.  – No credit or debit cards with this offer.
40. JOHNSON’S JEWEL BOX – $5.00 Ear Piercing on Tuesdays
41. KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT – 10% off Thursday nights
42. KATE’S YOGURT, Solvang – 10% off yogurt purchase
43. KNIT FIT – 20% off Painting
44. LIFE CHIROPRACTIC – 50% off  New Patient initial services
45. LONGHORN COFFEE SHOP – 10% off purchase, Cardholder only
46. LOS OLIVOS GENERAL STORE – 10% off purchases on Wednesdays
47. LOS OLIVOS GROCERY – 10% off purchase every Mon. & Tues. (exclusive of Tobacco & Newspapers Only) – Cardholder Only
48. MIE’S BEADS – 15% off purchase of $15 or more M-F
49. MOTHER HUBBARD’S RESTAURANT – 10% off purchase, Must present card before ordering (not valid with any other offer)
50. NEARY CHIROPRACTIC – 20% off treatment for new patients. Does not apply to insurance or current patients.
51. NEW FRONTIERS NATURAL MARKETPLACE – 10% off purchases between $50.00 & $99.00.  $15% off purchases $100 or more. (Valid on Wednesdays) Cardholder Only
52. NIELSEN’S MARKET – 10% off groceries Wed. only (exclusive of weekly ad items, liquor, tobacco & dairy)
53. OLIVE HILL FARM – 10% off any purchase, one Free Tasting per visit
54. PARTS UNKNOWN – 10% off your purchase of $150.00 or more (valid Tuesdays at Solvang store only)
55. PERFORMANCE FITNESS – 10 Day Passes for $60 OR 75% off Enrollment Fee (Passes must be used by 1 person in 90 day period)
56. PIZZA SHACK – 10% off your order
57. POLKA DOT – 20% off all Catering & Event planning  
58. R. GOULD & SON ELECTRIC – 10% off any electrical labor. 688-8849
59. RADIANCE TANNING – 10% off products & services M – F, 15% off on Saturdays
60. SANTA YNEZ BURRITO – Free fountain drink with purchase of burrito at regular price
61. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY CHEESE COMPANY – 10% off any purchase, 1095 Meadowvale Rd, Suite E, Santa Ynez
62. SANTA YNEZ VALLEY FLORIST – 10% discount on $50.00 or more purchase. Local orders only. Purchase does not apply to Teleflora orders and sale items.  688-4231
63. SANTA YNEZ WINE COUNTRY MASSAGE – $20 Off 90 minute ($10 off 60 minute) in-home massage 886-4551
64. SOLARPONICS – $500 off any system purchase
65. SOLVANG BAKERY – 20% off with Pirate Pass on all merchandise, everyday (except birthday or wedding cakes), 438 Alisal Road, Solvang, 688-4939
66. SOLVANG BREWING CO. – 10% off food items, exclusive of Alcohol – Cardholder only
67. SOLVANG CHIROPRACTIC – $50 includes: Chiropractic adjustment with comprehensive health exam; nutritional consult and private personal training session. $200 value 325-9698
68. SOLVANG COFFEE COMPANY – (adjacent to the Book Loft) – Free 12oz drip coffee with purchase of baked good on Mondays & Tuesdays
69. SOLVANG RESTAURANT – 10% off Tuesdays, food only, not to-go orders
70. SOLVANG TOYLAND – 10% off $20.00 or more purchases, Wednesdays or Thursdays only. (Excludes sale items)
71. STAR DRUGS – Wednesdays only,15% off on all merchandise (excludes prescriptions and UPS/FedEx Shipping)
72. STATE FARM INSURANCE – JULIA TIPOLT AGENCY – $5 Visa Gift Card for new home or auto quote, new customers only (1 per Household), with Pirate Pass 688-5537
73. STEVE’S WHEEL & TIRE – Free Nitrogen Air Fill & Tire Rotation ($50 value) exp. 12/31/15
74. SUCCULENT CAFÉ – 15% off dinner entrees on Wednesdays and Thursdays (excludes alcohol)
75. THE CLIQUE – 10% off entire purchase on Wednesdays
76. TOWER PIZZA – $2 off $15 or more
77. UPS STORE– 10% off notary service, 5% off UPS shipping.
78. VALLEY GRIND, Santa Ynez – 10% off all coffee drinks on Mondays only. 20% off one retail item on Tuesdays only.
79. VALLEY HARDWARE & GARDEN CENTER – Pirate Bag (Mondays only): 10% off regularly priced merchandise that fits in our bag

80. VIKING PRESS PRINTING– 100 Color Copies for $20.17 including tax (or .20 each + tax, any quantity) with presentation of Pirate Pass. 515 4^th Place, Solvang,  688-5219

1. VINEYARD HOUSE RESTAURANT – Complimentary Appetizer or Dessert,  Mondays and Wednesdays – Limit 1 Per Table, $25 Minimum Purchase
2. VINTINPIX – Vintage Trailer & Photo Booth Company $50 off photo booth rental (2 hour minimum), not good with any other offers/discounts 688-1025
3. WEST CHIROPRACTIC – 25% Off Office Visit.

The post Pirate Pass available for many Santa Ynez Valley businesses appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The post SYHS JV girls volleyball coach needed appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Many seniors at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School were celebrated for their academic and athletic scholarship accomplishments during an awards ceremony in the New Gym on campus on Wednesday, May 18. The students and their families and organizations and individuals who created the scholarship opportunities came together to hand out the certificates.

“My husband and I were able to attend college because of this opportunity and when we married 10 years ago it was a goal of ours to create a scholarship to help give back. This is our seventh year now and we are so thrilled to help the students achieve higher learning,” said Jody Colt, of Solvang, with her husband Chris.

Of the hundreds of scholarships more than $300,000 was awarded to SYVUHS students from local scholarships and from foundations such as the Valley Foundation and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara according to event organizer Alisha Holley, registrar at SYVUHS.

Tanner Shean was awarded the Austin Bartoo Athletic Memorial Scholarship among several awarded, in memory of Austin Bartoo, a former student at the high school who passed away last year from injuries resulting from a car accident. His sister Shannon Strange (Bartoo) handed him the scholarship which means a great deal to her family and she indicated it would be what her brother would want.

Coach Josh McClurg hugged Tim Gauthier tightly when he handed him the Jeff Rio Memorial Scholarship and said he embodied Rio. Austin Vreeland earned big cheers from the crowd when he accepted several scholarships from the SYHS Football Boosters and Most Valuable Male Athlete of the Year.

Below is a list of all the scholarship winners.

Most Inspirational Female Athlete of the Year: Brooke Redell

 Most Inspirational Male Athlete of the Year: Connor Epley

Most Valuable Female Athlete of the Year: Eliza Nash

Most Valuable Male Athlete of the Year: Johnny Jimenez

US Army Scholar/Athlete Awards

Blane Heming & Savannah Avery

US Marine Corps Athlete/Academic Awards

Distinguished Athlete Awards

·         Austin Vreeland

·         Madison Snow

Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence

·         Nicholas Seaman

Scholastic Excellence Award

·         Abigail Mullin

US Air Force Academic Awards

Math Award

·         Clara Jones

Science Award

·         Westin Kelsey

Outstanding Academic Achievement

·         Tanner Shean

The post Local Students Earn Big During Scholarship Awards Ceremony at SYVUHS appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.