Ryan Guardino, who had hit safely in 18 consecutive games at SBCC before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the Vaqueros’ baseball season, will take his next swings at Wofford University in Spartanburg, S.C.
Guardino has signed a national letter of intent to play next season for the Southern Conference power. The Terriers were 14-3 this spring when their own season was abruptly ended.
He said he picked Wofford because of their “attention to detail … and the academic strength of the school will help me develop.”
Guardino played shortstop at San Marcos High, batting .345 during his three seasons on varsity, before signing his first letter of intent with San Jose State in 2017.
He opted to return to Santa Barbara, however, and played two seasons for the Vaqueros. He was the leadoff batter and played outfield for SBCC this spring, hiting .415 (34-for-82) with 21 runs scored, eight doubles, a triple a home run, and 10 RBIs. He also stole 14 bases in 15 attempts.
“I learned a lot in the time I spent at SBCC that helped me grow as a player and person,” Guardino said. “I am excited to continue playing baseball.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
GAUCHO ASSISTANT MOVING ON
Nneka Enemkpali, an assistant basketball coach at UCSB the last two years, has accepted a position on the staff at UNLV.
Nneka Enemkpali, an assistant basketball coach at UCSB the last two years, has accepted a position on the staff at UNLV.
“I am so excited about the impact that Nneka Enemkpali will have on our Lady Rebel program,” UNLV coach Lindy La Rocque said. “Nneka is a young rising star in coaching.
“She is extremely motivated and energetic about continuing to learn and grow, and will be a fantastic mentor for our team.”
Enemkpali was named this season as one of the 50 Impactful Assistants in Division I Women’s Basketball by Silver Waves Media. She worked in skill development for the Gaucho post players and helped develop Ila Lane this year into the nation’s No. 1 rebounder. Lane won All-Big West Conference First Team and Freshman of the Year honors.
“I am excited to be joining the Lady Rebel family,” Ememkpali said. “Coach La Rocque’s pedigree speaks for itself, she understands what it takes to excel and win at the highest level. I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside her and witness the growth of this program.”
Enemkpali, who was a three-time All-Big 12 player at the University of Texas, spent two seasons at Gonzaga as the Bulldogs’ video coordinator before joining coach Bonnie Henrickson’s staff at UCSB.
WOMEN’S GOLF
WESTMONT SIGNS TRIO
Westmont women’s golf coach Tom Knecht announced that he has signed three high school recruits for his team’s second season as a collegiate program.
The Warriors are adding Madi Bennett of Edwards, Colo.; Sloane Bayer of Fresno, and Megan Marty of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Bennett attended the Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy and Laurel Springs High School, where she served as team captain. She was a Nordic skier for four years until an injury prompted her to focus on golf.
“Madi committed early as a junior and has been a linchpin of this recruiting class,” Knecht said. “Madi has an amazing swing, a great personality and will be a leader for us.”
Bennett won the regional championship as a junior and had the lowest average score on her high school team. She qualified for state all three years she played high school golf and never finished lower than third in every tournament she entered.
Bayer won several junior events including the Future Collegians World Tour event in Coyote Creek. She finished tied for ninth out of 64 players at the 2019 California Junior Girls Championship and was named by the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California as its Most Improved Junior Golfer of 2017.
“I expect Sloane to be at the top of leaderboards throughout her Westmont career,” Knecht said. “Sloane is passionate about golf and you won’t find a more determined or hard-working player.”
Marty was an All-District, All-City, and 4.0 Scholar-Athlete golfer for Scottsdale’s Desert Mountain High.
“She played three sports in high school, including football,” Knecht said. “Megan is a workout warrior and that dedication translates into an amazing golf game.”
