Former Santa Barbara tennis star Nathan Jackmon is returning to his roots as coach of the SBCC men’s team.
“I grew up playing at Pershing Park from the time I was probably 7 years old,” Jackmon said, referring to the Vaqueros’ home courts. “I think it’s going to be a lot of fun coaching here and I’m super-excited. I really look forward to getting this program to the top.”
Jackmon played a big part in keeping Santa Barbara High at the top during its eight-year run as champion of the CIF-Southern Section’s top division (1988-95). He played for coach Jack Trigueiro’s Dons from 1991 to 1994 and combined with teammate Jason Merrin to win the CIF-SS Doubles championship in 1993.
He continued on to play at the University of California, rising from the No. 6 spot as a freshman to No. 1 by his senior year. He also played three years on the ATP pro circuit before starting his own junior tennis program – Advantage Point Tennis – in the Bay Area.
Jackmon served as the head coach for both the boys and girls tennis teams at Bentley Upper School in Lafayette, Ca. from 2010 to 2015.
He and his wife, both of whom are real estate agents, moved to Ventura two years ago.
“I haven’t been doing anything with tennis for the last few years and I decided I needed tennis in my life again,” Jackmon said.
Athletic director Rocco Constantino said he predicts that Jackmon will “revitalize tennis here at SBCC.”
“I thought he was an excellent candidate based on his credentials and then after meeting him for the first time, I knew he was someone we wanted working with our students,” he said. “We have some talented players and I am excited to see what he can do with the team.”
Jackmon, who has worked as a practice partner with both Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, liked what he saw after meeting his team.
“They’re pretty good players who are really competitive,” he said. “I’d like to get more local kids playing here in addition to the foreign players we get.”
MEN’S SOCCER
MICHAEL, BILLINGSLEY HONORED
UCSB’s Rodney Michael, a junior right winger, has received national recognition from three organizations, including the United Soccer Coaches with its National Player of the Week Award.
He also earned a spot on the College Soccer News Team of the Week and honorable mention on the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week.
Gaucho teammate Noah Billingsley, a senior right wingback, was chosen to Top Drawer Soccer’s weekly honor squad.
Michael had a goal and an assist in each of last week’s matches – victories of 2-0 over Sacramento State and 5-0 over 22nd-ranked Cal State Fullerton.
Billingsley became the first Big West Conference player to record three assists in a match, aiding UCSB’s romp past Fullerton. He’s the first to achieve the feat since Memo Arzate got three assists against Fullerton in 2003.
“Obviously scoring five goals at Fullerton was amazing.” Billingsley said. “We’re just putting everything together now and hopefully we can make a run.”
GSAC HONORS DELGADO
Westmont College goalkeeper Edward “Lalo” Delgado has been named as the Golden State Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week in men’s soccer for the third time this season and the sixth time in his career.
Delgado made five saves in Saturday’s 3-0 shutout of Vanguard. It was his sixth clean sheet of the season.
He ranks first in the GSAC and 16th in the NAIA with a goals-against average of 0.72 per game. He also has 29 saves and a save percentage of .806.
Delgado’s play has led the Warriors to a No. 4 national ranking and records of 10-1 overall and 4-0 in the GSAC.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
BIG WEST TABS MURISON
Senior Shaelan Murison was named as the Big West Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in her career after scoring both goals in UCSB’s 2-1 victory at UC Davis.
“She has come up big for us numerous times and her performance at Davis was just more of the same,” coach Paul Stumpf said.
Murison leads the Big West with 10 goals.
She’ll lead the Gauchos (6-3-3, 2-0 Big West) into tonight’s 7 o’clock match at Cal State Northridge.
UCSB will return home on Sunday at 1 p.m. for its annual Pink Game against rival Cal Poly. The first 200 in attendance will receive a free t-shirt in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
GAUCHOS GOING PINK
Free pink t-shirts will also go to the first 200 to arrive at the Thunderdome on Saturday for UCSB’s 7 p.m., Blue-Gold Rivalry showdown against Cal Poly.
The Gauchos (15-2, 5-1 Big West) are in second place behind the Mustangs (13-5, 6-0), who are coming off a three-set sweep over 19th-ranked Hawaii.
Cal Poly is bidding for its third-straight Big West championship.
MEN’S SWIMMING
MPSF HONORS NOGUEIRA
UCSB swimmer Doug Nogueira has been named by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation as its Athlete of the Week.
He won three races to lead the Gauchos to a dual meet victory of 150.5-111.5 over Utah. The UCSB senior won the 100 backstroke (50.00), the 200 back (1:50.01), and the 200 individual medley (1:51.77).
Nogueira also led off the Gauchos’ 200 medley relay with the fastest split of the meet (22.98).
UCSB will compete on Friday at Cal State Bakersfield’s Sprint Classic and on Saturday at the Roadrunner Invitational.
