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Owen Pryor Honored as Laguna Blanca's Scholar Athlete of the Year
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By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor
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By Barry Punzal, Noozhawk Sports Editor
The initiative that Laguna Blanca student athlete Owen Pryor has demonstrated in his high school life is remarkable.
A great example of that initiative came during his involvement in the school’s STEM Research Program in his 10th and 11th grade years. During that time, he had to identify and explore a scientific problem, do experimentation, and then make a presentation.
His project focused on the indirect effects the COVID-19 pandemic was having on Santa Barbara fisheries. An avid fisherman, he received assistance from California Department of Fish & Wildlife manager John Ugoretz on the project.
A four-sport athlete who carries a 4.33 grade point average, Pryor’s excellence in the classroom and on the athletic field is being recognized by Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table. The organization is honoring him as Laguna Blanca’s Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Pryor was presented the award in a virtual ceremony that included Laguna Blanca Athletic Director Matt Steinhaus and award sponsor Marc Gamberdella of the Athletic Round Table and the Gamberdella-Spruill Group of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
Owen, the son of Amy and Jeff Pryor, has played football, soccer, tennis, and run cross country in his four years at Laguna Blanca. He was captain of the football and soccer teams.
Owen, the son of Amy and Jeff Pryor, has played football, soccer, tennis, and run cross country in his four years at Laguna Blanca. He was captain of the football and soccer teams.
Steinhaus, who took over as Laguna Blanca’s athletic director in the fall of 2021, said he learned about Owen as soon as he arrived.
“One of the first names that was presented to me as a year-round asset to the athletic department was Owen Pryor,” said Steinhaus. “My predecessor, Jason Donnelly, who is still at the school, said Owen is one of those guys that is solid all around.”
Steinhaus saw Pryor’s impact immediately during football season.
“He is an incredible star and leader for the football team,” said Steinhaus. “I listened to the coaches talk about his presence. We have a lot of young talent, and it’s the seniors athletes that have the biggest impact on the team and the future.
“The legacy of Laguna Blanca football, the foundation of that comes with Owen because what he represents as a student athlete.”
Pryor also ran cross country in the fall and played soccer in the winter season. This spring is playing singles on the CIF-SS top-ranked boys tennis team.
Academically, his class load includes Advanced Placement courses in English Literature, calculus, physics (mechanics) as well as environmental science, Latin 5 honors, drawing and painting and personal finance.
His academic honors include Cum Laude Society as a junior and senior; College Board AP Scholar with Honor Award as a junior; Laguna Blanca CIF Scholar-Athlete Award as a freshman and sophomore (the award was not given in his junior year due to COVID-19); National Society of High School Scholars from sophomore through senior years.
His academic interests are in math and science, and he hopes to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
In addition to athletics, Pryor serves as a student ambassador at Laguna Blanca and has played in the band. He plays keyboards, trombone, and drums.
In the community, he is a member of Boys Team Charity of the Santa Barbara League. He’s also done service work with Explore Ecology, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper and the Santa Barbara Zoo.
“There doesn’t seem to be any shortcomings with this guy,” said Steinhaus. “He lived up to everything I heard about him.”
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Laguna Blanca is Santa Barbara’s premier private, co-educational, college preparatory day school for students in Early Kindergarten through Grade 12.