College notebook: Cuesta basketball standout Roberto Mantovani to sign with Robert Morris
When Roberto Mantovani joined the Cuesta College men’s basketball team last year, longtime head coach Rusty Blair knew the Cougars were adding a piece to the puzzle opponents wouldn’t be able to match on a regular basis.
The 6-foot-8, 235-pound center from Cyprus proved to be one of the most dominant players in the Western State Conference, averaging 15.5 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
The sophomore center, who transferred from Division II Benedict College in South Carolina, went on to earn first-team all-conference accolades after leading Cuesta to a 22-10 overall record and a berth in the California Community College Atheltic Association playoffs.
Mantovani was rewarded for his efforts this week, when he committed to play basketball for Division I Robert Morris University next season. The Colonials compete in the Northeastern Conference and have qualified for the NCAA Tournament eight times in program history, including three appearances since 2009.
Coaches from Robert Morris, which is located in Pennsylvania, came to watch Mantovani when the Cougars hosted Allan Hancock in mid-February. Mantovani came off the bench to record a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds during an 89-84 victory.
On Wednesday, Mantovani took an official visit to Moon Township and returned to San Luis Obispo with a scholarship offer.
“The things that they liked about my game are the things that I take a lot of pride in,” Mantovani said. “So, I knew they liked the kind of player I am. They could see my skill set and what I bring to the table.”
Robert Morris struggled to a 10-22 finish this past season under fifth-year head coach Andrew Toole. The Colonials’ roster was comprised of seven freshmen and two seniors, with only two players listed at 6-7 or taller.
Mantovani will be the latest Cuesta standout to land at a Division I school, following in the footsteps of Kristof Ongenaet (Syracuse), Josimar Ayarza (Southern Mississippi) and Roger Guardia (Cal State Fullerton).
Another Cuesta player, sophomore forward Rafail Eleftheriou, also will be moving on to continue his basketball career.
The 6-7 Eleftheriou, a fellow Cyprus native, has committed to play at Division II Fresno Pacific University next season.
As one of the Cougars’ vocal leaders this winter, Eleftheriou averaged 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. He was the only player to start every game and tied for the team lead with 46 3-pointers.
Both players plan to sign scholarship papers April 13.
Mustangs to host annual track meet
Local track and field fans will get a chance to take in their first action of the spring Saturday afternoon during the 34th annual Cal Poly ShareSLO Invitational.
Saturday’s competition is free to attend and is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. with the javelin and will conclude around 4 p.m. with the 4x400-meter relays.
Fresno State, CSU Bakersfield and Cuesta College will be among the 12 teams set to participate, along with two clubs and several professionals competing individually.
Among the 80 Mustangs entered in at least one event, four juniors who own top-10 marks in school history will compete in their premier events. Daijah Joe-Smith returns in the 100-meter dash, Mallory Patino in the 400 hurdles, Ben Hartinger in the 110 hurdles and Arnie Sambel in the men’s discus.
Three-time Olympian and 2008 gold medalist Stephanie Brown Trafton is scheduled to compete in the discus. The former Cal Poly All-American set the national record in the event with a throw of 222 feet, 3 inches back in 2012.
Another Cal Poly alumnus, John Prader, is entered in the men’s pole vault. He owns the school record in the event at 18-7 ¼, and will challenged by sophomore Tomi Nord during Saturday’s competition.
Cal Poly assistant named to Thirty Under 30 list
Cal Poly women’s basketball assistant coach Mackenzie Argens was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s inaugural Thirty Under 30 list on Friday morning.
The WBCA, which was founded in 1981, recognizes up-and-coming coaches at all levels around the country. A 2012 graduate of Washington, Argens completed her third season on head coach Faith Mimnaugh’s staff earlier this month.
She has worked extensively with the Mustangs’ post players following her career as a three-year starter in the frontcourt for the Huskies.
Argens has helped build on Cal Poly’s strong tradition of interior players, having worked with former Big West Player of the Year and current Turkish professional Molly Schlemer, two-time Big West Hustler Player of the Year Taryn Garza, and this year’s all-conference performer Hannah Gilbert.
“These coaches have demonstrated eagerness, effectiveness, loyalty, love of the game, and a commitment to the student-athlete,” WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew said in a release. “We celebrate their effort on the basketball court as teachers and equally applaud the extensive role they play in impacting the lives of their student-athletes.”
This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 2:34 PM with the headline "College notebook: Cuesta basketball standout Roberto Mantovani to sign with Robert Morris."