Survive and advance is the mantra for fall sports teams that are still alive in their quest for the CIF Southern Section and California State Championships. The playoffs are in full swing and local coaches are updating the Santa Barbara community on their progress at the Santa Barbara Athletic Roundtable press luncheon Monday at Harry’s Cafe.

Eliana Urzua of Bishop Diego girls volleyball and Eamon Gordon of Dos Pueblos cross country were honored as SBART Athletes of the Week.

Urzua is a rare two-time recipient in the same season after leading the Bishop Diego women’s volleyball team to the CIF-SS Division 3 championship match with 28 kills and four blocks in a 3-1 victory in the semifinals against Cypress. She also racked up 16 kills and aces in a quarterfinal sweep over Royal.

Gordon won the Santa Barbara County championship race with a time of 14:57. This is his third individual county title and Dos Pueblos also took home first place as a team.

Phil Womble Award

Laguna Blanca’s Carter Plowman has enjoyed success in the classroom and on the football field, including all-First Team All-Frontier League recognition and as a result was honored with the Phil Wimble Sports Ethics Award at the press luncheon from Monday.

The Phil Womble Award recognizes student-athletes who value and integrate into their daily lives responsibility, respect for teammates, opponents and officials, honesty, positive attitude, dependability, loyalty, sportsmanship , respect for others above self and the team above personal interest.

Plowman maintains a 3.98 GPA. He also volunteers his time to the Civil Air Patrol, an organization within the United States Air Force. Additionally, he was a two-time recipient of the Laguna Blanca Scholar-Athlete Award.

“Carter is the choice for this award, frankly, because when you look at the characteristics that define this award, each one of them individually is what he possesses so amazingly,” said Laguna Blanca sporting director Matt Steinhaus. “I’ve been an AD for 13 years and at Laguna for four years, I’ve never really met a guy like that.”

Special Olympics Athlete of the Month

Fiona Garwood gave a heartfelt speech of perseverance after receiving her Special Olympics Athlete of the Month award.

“These sports that we all play are not an easy task…I’m all about having fun and making friends,” Garwood said. “I have made special friends who will remain friends with me for the rest of my life.

“I like to have fun, I don’t care about winning medals, I just want to cheer for my team and have fun.”

Garwood originally planned to play soccer, but switched to softball and received the award because of her excellent play and relationships with her teammates.