TOP SPORTING EVENTS: MARCH 25-APRIL 3
The U.S. men’s water polo team, coached by Santa Barbara native Terry Schroeder, will play Italy in an exhibition game Thursday, March 29, at the Dos Pueblos High pool. Both teams are aiming for gold at this summer’s Olympic Games in London. The Americans were silver medalists at the 2008 Games in Beijing. Italy was ranked No. 1 in the world in 2011. Thursday’s match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
In college women’s water polo, UCSB hosts Brown University on Monday, March 26. The Gauchos, ranked 14th in the nation, lost 12-2 to No. 2 Stanford on Sunday. Former Dos Pueblos star Kiley Neushul, daughter of UCSB coach Cathy Neushul, led Stanford with four goals.
UCSB will host several other games during the week, including a baseball game between the Gauchos and Pepperdine on Tuesday. Next weekend, the Gauchos will open Big West Conference play with a three-game against UC Riverside.
Most local high schools are on spring break this week. The baseball teams of Dos Pueblos and San Marcos are going to play in Arizona.
There will be no Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon on Monday. The luncheons will resume April 2.
SCHEDULE OF GAMES
Sunday, March 25
College women’s water polo – Stanford at UCSB, 1 p.m.
Monday, March 26
College women’s water polo – Brown at UCSB, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, March 27
College baseball – Pepperdine at UCSB, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, March 28
High school baseball – Mission Prep at Carpinteria, 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 29
College baseball – The Master’s at Westmont, 3 p.m.
International water polo – U.S. men’s national team vs. Italy at Dos Pueblos High’s Elings Aquatic Center, 7 p.m.
Friday, March 30
High school baseball – Fillmore at Bishop Diego, 2 p.m.
College baseball – UC Riverside at UCSB, 3 p.m.; The Master’s at Westmont, 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 31
Cycling – Firestone Walker Avenue of the Flags Criterium bike races, downtown Buellton, 7 a.m. (Professional races at 3 p.m.) ridesb.com.
Triathlon – UCSB Triathlon, Campus Point, 8 a.m. kendrasrace.com.
College women’s water polo – Long Beach State at UCSB, 12 p.m.
College softball – Long Beach State at UCSB (2), 12 p.m.
College baseball – UC Riverside at UCSB, 1 p.m.; Moorpark at SBCC, 1 p.m.
High school softball – Santa Maria at Bishop Diego (2), 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 1
College women’s water polo – UC Irvine at UCSB, 12 p.m.
College softball – Long Beach State at UCSB, 12 p.m.
College baseball – UC Riverside at UCSB, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 2
Track and field – Sam Adams Decathlon/Heptathlon at Westmont College, first day, 10 a.m.
Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Café, 12 p.m.
Tuesday, April 3
Track and field – Sam Adams Decathlon/Heptathlon at Westmont College, second day, 10 a.m.
College baseball – Cal State Bakersfield at UCSB, 3 p.m.
High school baseball – Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 3:15 p.m.
High school softball – San Marcos at Dos Pueblos, 3:30 p.m.
RUNNING, WALKING, CYCLING
Saturday, April 7 – Are You Tough Enough? 100K Relay, Toro Canyon to Nojoqui Falls, 7 a.m. areyoutoughenough.com.
Saturday, April 14 – Chardonnay 10 Miler/5K, Loma Alta and Shoreline Drive, 8 a.m. sbactionpro.com.
Saturday, April 28 – Gaucho Gallop, 10K/5K, UCSB Harder Stadium, 8:15 a.m. ucsbruns.com.