The local public schools were well represented in the 38th annual CIF-SS Ford Academic team awards, as Santa Barbara High, Dos Pueblos and San Marcos all had several sports teams honored.
The Dons led the way with five All-Academic teams, which is the second most of the 30 schools represented. Only Anaheim Discovery Christian has more, with seven.
In order for teams to be considered for the award, they must have at least five student-athletes with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale during the first semester of the school year.
According to CIF-SS, “The highest team GPA in each sport category by CBED enrollment determines the winner. Schools are divided into two CBED enrollment categories, 1500 and above and 1499 and below. The team with the highest GPA in each enrollment category for each sport receives the award.”
The All-Academic teams will be honored in a pre-game ceremony at Angel Stadium on Monday, April 20, ahead of a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
The trio of public schools and Bishop Diego also named their Student-Athletes of the Year, which are seniors who have maintained a minimum of a 3.5 GPA over the past three years while lettering in at least one varsity sport.
Santa Barbara High
The Dons’ five All-Academic teams was paced by the Boys Cross Country squad, which combined for an impressive team GPA of 3.958.
The other Santa Barbara High teams earning the top honor were Boys Volleyball (3.938), Girls Basketball (3.928), Girls Beach Volleyball (3.918) and Girls Volleyball (3.897).
Meanwhile, the school’s Student-Athletes of the Year were tennis and track standout Nicole Buist and baseball’s Derek Jaye. They both hold a 4.0 GPA.
Dos Pueblos
The Chargers pulled in four All-Academic team winners for the 2025-26 school year, led by the Girls Cross Country team and its 3.987 GPA.
They were joined by the Dos Pueblos Boys Golf (3.986), Boys Basketball (3.896) and Boys Water Polo (3.796) as CIF-SS All-Academic Teams.
Luca Bottoroff of the boys soccer team and Hannah Dawes from the girls lacrosse program each boast 4.0 GPAs and were honored as the school’s Student-Athletes of the Year.
San Marcos
The Royals earned a pair of All-Academic Teams, as the Girls Lacrosse (3.909) and Girls Track & Field (3.867) teams will represent the school at Angel Stadium in late April.
Individually, San Marcos volleyball’s Alina Stapf and Oliver Werkhoven of the basketball and track & field teams were named the Student-Athletes of the Year with their 4.0 GPAs.
Bishop Diego
While the Cardinals did not receive a CIF-SS All-Academic team honor, they did have a pair of student-athletes earn the title of Bishop Diego Student-Athletes of the Year.
Girls Basketball’s Jaymi Coronado and Joe Similon of the tennis and cross country teams have shined in the classroom with 4.0 GPAs and in their respective sports to collect the award.
