Kamara White
Winter sports are fully back in season, but there have been some noteworthy athletic accomplishments by Varsity fall sports teams that deserve acknowledgment and commemoration. Some teams have made history, like girls volleyball winning the (…), and some have repeated history, like boys water polo winning CIF for the third consecutive year in a row.
All fall Varsity sports teams either won league, qualified for CIF, or had the amazing opportunity of experiencing both.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL:
The girl’s volleyball program got a brand new coaching staff over the short COVID-19 (2020-2021 season) season but was able to adjust quickly and made it all the way to the CIF Semi-finals. This has been the most successful season that the girl’s varsity volleyball team has had in years. The team is excited to finally have a banner with their season’s accomplishments hanging in the Sundevil gym for all who pass through to see.
BOYS WATERPOLO:
Boys varsity water polo has made history for the sport for the third year in a row. They did not only place first in the Valley League but won CIF for the third
consecutive season, and then move onto regionals. They had a great season and this was the farthest that boy’s water polo has made it to in CIF.
GIRLS FIELD HOCKEY
The girl’s varsity field hockey team also had a very successful season despise past years. They fought a hard match against Bonita Vista and came second in the Valley League. Being one of the top three teams in their
league got them a qualification onto the path to CIF where they ended their season on a good note. Coaches and players were all proud of how far they came as a team since COVID-19
CROSS COUNTRY
Boys and girls cross country accomplished a lot in this past season and both qualified for CIF. Both teams placed second in CIF and advanced all the way to CIF state sectionals. Tommy Bell (11th) individually won first in the Palomar League and placed first for boys in Division 2 meaning he was the 2021 Division 2 CIF sectionals state champion. AJ Santos (12th), placed 12th in CIF sectionals, as well. Out of only 5 athletes on the roster, Emma Turpin (12th) and Sydney Paul (12th) were the girl’s top runners and helped carry the girl’s varsity cross country team to CIF placing second, then advancing to state.
GIRLS GOLF
The girl’s golf team has seen success this season. Winning league, players Amber Timmer (10th) and Emberlynn Witt (11th) played the most matches and helped carry the golf team to CIF. The program feels proud of the girls and excited that they have the majority of their players returning next year.
CHEER (sideline)
Cheer did not compete in any events during the fall season (winter season is when competitive cheer starts). Even though cheer did not participate in any events, they were a crucial part of the fun Friday Night lights and success of the football team.
FOOTBALL
The football team had one of the greatest seasons MC has seen since the early 2000s. For the first time in 20 years, MC’s football team won the Valley league and qualified for CIF, making it all the way to the semi-finals. Every Friday the Red Sea would be out in the stadium cheering on the players, which only
shows the endless support MC has for football. Because of their impressive accomplishments, this season football will be moving up from division 3 to division 2.
GIRLS TENNIS
Girl’s tennis had a strong season until the end. Team captains, Simran Ovalekar (11th) and McKenzie Dinehart (12th) focused on having the girls form strong bonds throughout the season in order to have their chemistry on the court increase. Sisters, Evelyn and Samantha Cheng, both won CIF individuals and this was a big accomplishment for the girls’ tennis program. Even though they did not make it as far as they had hoped to in doubles CIF (due to one of their top players getting hurt), they beat one of the top teams in the country: Our Lady of Peace (OLP), after a long tie break.
BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Varsity boy’s basketball team has played some tough teams so far this season with a record of 16 wins-8 losses, with their most recent win against Olmypian high school accompanied by an impressive score of 85-52. The boys Varsity basketball team is also ranked 1st in the Valley League. Their next home game is on February 11th, against Ramona at 7 pm. This is their Senior night game, as well so be sure to go out and support! The girl’s basketball has had an strong season obtaining 19 wins- 2 losses record. The Varsity Girls Basketball team made an all time record this season with the most three pointers made in a game: 23. Their next home game is also on February 11th versus Ramona at 5:30 pm in the Sundevil gym.
GIRLS WATER POLO
Girl’s Varsity water polo has a mid-season record of 10 wins-13 losses. They have officially started league ended league play and are currently ranked 4th in ranking for the Palomar League. Their last home game was on February 3rd against San Marcos which happened to be both their Senior night and scheduled Spirit game, as well. They await CIF playoffs beginning this week.
BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER
The Boy’s Varsity soccer team has a record of 5 wins-9 ties-3 losses. Their last league home game before the CIF playoffs falls on February 11th, against Mission Hills at 5:15 pm. Girl’s soccer has an interesting record of 3wins-7ties-2 losses. Their senior night and spirit game falls on February 9th Westview at 6:30 pm.
WRESTLING
MC’s co-ed school wrestling team had many meets this season. Captain, Shin Matsuo (12th) has kept the wrestlers training and practicing hard. Unfortunately, wrestling has no more home meets for the season. The upcoming tournaments have yet to be announced for CIF championships.
CHEER (competitive)
Last year, during the main event: JAMZ Cheer and Dance Competition), the competitive cheer team, placed second due to a miscalculation in the finals. But this year they came back with determination and won first place in the JAMZ competition. Due to their recent first-place win, they will compete again in Las Vegas next month for a national title, hopefully doing as well as they did this past competition.
Overall, our fall Varsity sports teams had one of the most successful years that MC has seen. With new coaching staff for most teams and fewer COVID restrictions, sports at MC have been thriving. Go out and support the winter sports teams at their next home games. It’s the Sundevil way!
