Providence’s Gavin Rutland was named the school’s Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award winner to headline Monday’s Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
After Rutland was honored at the top of the program, winter sports teams followed with updates on their seasons heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
A full video of the luncheon will be posted here when made available by SBART.
Gavin Rutland Named Providence Phil Womble Award Winner
Rutland has made an impact all across campus during his time as a Patriot, contributing to the Providence volleyball teams and shining in the classroom as well.
As it states on the SBART website, “This award acknowledges student-athletes who value and incorporate into their daily lives, the following qualities: accountability, respect of teammates, opponents, and officials, honesty, positive attitude, reliability, loyalty, sportsmanship, others above self, and team above personal interest.”
Rutland competes for the indoor and beach boys volleyball teams on campus, while he is a black belt in Hapkido and a Junior Lifeguard triathlete in off-campus competitions.
“I don’t think I could think of a better fit for this award than Gavin,” Providence athletic director Dan Terry said. “It’s just been such a pleasure to have on all of my volleyball teams, beach and indoor. He’s just one of those kids that every coach dreams to have on their team.
“He’s always asking for positive coaching, asking what he can do to be better and always encouraging his teammates.”
On the academic side, Rutland boasts a 4.26 GPA while taking honors courses in pre-calculus, American literature, U.S. history and chemistry.
He is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the California Lifeguarding Association and has participated in Kids Helping Kids.
“Every single time he steps onto the court, it fires everybody up. We’re so happy that he’s chosen to be a part of our volleyball programs,” Terry said. “He’s always willing to just do whatever the team needs. I’m just so happy he’s part of our team.”
Rutland is the fourth of eight Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award winners for this school year, joining Santa Barbara High’s Elina Stump, Dos Pueblos’ Logan Pearce and Cate’s Maddie Kollock. The award is sponsored by Dave Pintard of the Pintard Group.
“I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play sports. I want to thank my mom and dad, and I want to thank my coach,” Rutland said.
I also just want to give thanks to my teammates. When I first came into volleyball, I had little to no experience at all, and just the amount of antics they had to put up with, they’re just nice guys.”
Busy Rivalry Week Ahead
As many local winter sports teams have the CIF-SS playoffs on the horizon, there are still crucial regular-season games to go. Many come this week as local teams will clash in rivalry matchups.
The week will start with a bang on Monday night as Dos Pueblos will host Santa Barbara High in a crosstown boys basketball showdown at 7 p.m. The Dons won the last game against the Chargers, 87-59.
Those two schools will meet again on Tuesday night in a girls basketball edition of the rivalry matchup. Across town, Dos Pueblos wrestling will host San Marcos for the final Channel League dual meet of the season. Both matchups will begin at 7 p.m.
The busy basketball week continues on Wednesday when the San Marcos boys team will roll out the welcome mats for Dos Pueblos at 7 p.m. It could be an exciting matchup, as the Chargers pulled out a 69-67 win the last time these two teams met.
Thursday is the busiest day of the week for crosstown rivalries, as San Marcos and Dos Pueblos will clash in three different sports across town.
In Goleta, the Chargers will host the Royals for a boys soccer game at 5:15 p.m. and the girls basketball matchup between the two schools will tip off right after at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, the San Marcos and Dos Pueblos boys soccer teams will face off on Thursday at 5:15 p.m.
While the rest of the sports will continue their regular-season action, the San Marcos, Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara High girls water polo teams will compete in the Channel League Championship Tournament this week.
The opening rounds will take place on Tuesday at Rio Mesa and San Marcos, while the championship game is set for Wednesday at 4:20 p.m. at Elings Aquatic Center in Goleta.
Student-Athletes in Attendance
Providence Volleyball: Gavin Rutland
Dos Pueblos Boys Basketball: Jordan Zamora, Stanley Chen
San Marcos Wrestling: Tripp Jones, Alex Visueta, William Huyn
Dos Pueblos Girls Basketball: Lucy Holian, Sophie Heinemann
Santa Barbara High Girls Basketball: Shea Gannon, Alexandra Arnold, Rosie Dionicio, Audrey Castillo
Carpinteria High Girls Water Polo: Madison Lee, Gwen Postma
Carpinteria High Boys Soccer: Carlos Garcia, Cesar Vega
Santa Barbara High Boys Basketball: Hudson Lang, Mikah Narva
San Marcos Girls Basketball: Selena Valencia, Lily Ruvalcaba
San Marcos Boys Basketball: Benny Huerta
San Marcos Boys Soccer: Oscar Alaniz, Abraham Jimenez
Bishop Diego Boys Basketball: Tua Rojas, Aidan Padilla
Bishop Diego Boys Soccer: River Castellanos
Bishop Diego Girls Soccer: Mia Desales, Bryleigh Laurent
Bishop Diego Girls Basketball: Luz Castro, Jeisa Coronado
Providence Girls Basketball: Rina Griggs, Annabelle Leon
Providence Boys Basketball: Micah Song, Isaac Kauffman