The winter sports season in Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) featured a blend of seasoned victories, promising talent, and dedication. From playoff runs to individual accolades, our student-athletes showcased their resilience and passion across a variety of sports.

"Our winter season highlighted the incredible spirit and determination of our student-athletes," said Director of Secondary Education Mike Sciacca. "Our young athletes  not only excel in their respective sports but also embody the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship that are essential for success both on and off the field."

Here's a breakdown of the winter season's highlights:

 

Corona del Mar High School

• Boys Basketball: The Sea Kings finished with a 21-9 record and placed fourth in the competitive Sunset League. They advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

• Girls Basketball: CdMHS claimed the Sunset League Championship with an 18-11 record and reached the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2A playoffs.

• Boys Soccer: The team faced a challenging season, finishing with a 3-13 record and sixth place in the Sunset League.

• Girls Soccer: The Sea Kings had a strong season, finishing with a 15-7 record and placing fifth in Sunset League competition. They reached the second round in the CIF-SS Division 1 Playoffs. ALL-CIF: Alex Cross

• Girls Water Polo: CdMHS achieved a 19-10 record and placed second in the Sunset League. They were ranked #8 in the CIF Southern Section Final Regular Season Poll and qualified for the CIF Open Division playoffs. ALL-CIF: Reagan Weir

• Wrestling: The team finished with a 4-7 record and fourth place in the Sunset League.

 

 

Costa Mesa High School

• Girls Soccer: The Mustangs reached the Division 4 CIF quarterfinals, ultimately falling to the eventual champions in triple overtime. Juniors Gianna Matian, Riley Ogo, and Seniors Jocelyn Culp, and Jazzi Beisner earned all-league honors.

• Girls Basketball: The Lady Mustangs had a remarkable season, reaching the CIF quarterfinals after a playoff absence the previous year. Coach Zedrick McKee led the team to a second-place league finish. Juniors Leilani Quero, Emi Kamikihara, Myah Hernandez, and Yenelly Martinez received all-league honors. The team also defeated a strong Laguna Hills team.
   
• Boys Basketball: The Mustangs secured second place in the Empire League’s highest division. Junior Parker Hylton and Senior Ternandez Calloway Jr. earned all-league honors. The team’s victories included a win against state-ranked Irvine and a city championship win against Estancia.
   
• Wrestling: Under first-year coach Kyle Chene, Senior Ian Encarnacion and Junior Marley Zepeda advanced to the Masters meet, both placing fourth in CIF.
   
• Girls Water Polo: Under new coach Sarah Barker, the team narrowly missed the playoffs in the highly competitive Empire League. Senior Sophia Winters, Sophomore Violet Carlton, and Freshmen Mia Walker earned all-league recognition. The Mustangs secured a decisive win against Buena Park.
   
• Boys Soccer: The young Mustangs team showed promise, with Junior Roman Serpas earning first-team all-league honors and Junior Carlos Alcala and Senior Gio Ortiz earning second-team honors.

Estancia High School

• Girls Basketball: The program saw growth at all levels, with Senior Jayden McClure scoring over 1,000 career points.

• Girls Soccer: The Eagles continued their success, winning the league championship and reaching the CIF semifinals for the second consecutive year. Seniors Heidi Nieto, Estephanie Lomas, Tatum Cowie, Crystal Calderon, Kate Jennis, Charlie Sabori, and Evelyn Maya concluded their impressive high school careers.

• Boys Basketball: It was a rebuilding year for the Eagles, with a young team gaining valuable experience for future seasons.

• Boys Soccer: A highly competitive league season came down to the final game, with Senior Julian Duarte earning first-team all-league honors.

• Girls Water Polo: A young team qualified for the CIF playoffs, showcasing a bright future for the program.

• Wrestling: The program saw increased participation and made significant progress, nearing CIF team division qualification and achieving strong individual performances by Freshmen Jordyn Johnson and Senior Evan Urquzia. Jordyn won her weight class in the league and had a strong showing in CIF. Senior Evan Urquzia had a solid showing in CIF.  He finished eighth, one place away from moving on to Masters.

 

Newport Harbor High School

• Wrestling: Newport Harbor's wrestling program demonstrated exceptional strength this winter. Both the boys' and girls' teams qualified for the CIF-SS Dual Meet Championships. In the individual CIF Championships, the Sailors showcased remarkable talent.
  • Girls: Senior Charlie Falomir earned a strong third-place finish, and Freshmen Guilia Costa placed eighth.
  • Boys: Senior Demian Pryima captured the CIF Championship title, followed by impressive second-place finishes from Seniors Anthony Manno and Asa Goff. Junior Rikki Villasenor and Senior Seth Parry both secured third place, while Sophomore Lewis Goff finished in fifth. The boys' team's collective efforts resulted in an outstanding third-place overall finish.

• Girls Water Polo: The Sailors enjoyed a dominant season, culminating in a 25-7 record and the Sunset League Championship, earning a #3 ranking in the final CIF Southern Section  Regular Season Poll (Open Division). They advanced to the CIF Open Division Championship.

• Girls Soccer: The team finished the season 16-5-3, defeating El Segundo in the first round of the CIF playoffs.

• Boys Basketball: Defeating South Pasadena in the first round of the CIF playoffs, the team finished the season 18-12.

The winter sports season in NMUSD is about more than competition — it’s about growth, leadership, and school pride. NMUSD is proud to support student-athletes who exemplify teamwork, resilience, and character, both on and off the field, as part of our commitment to fostering well-rounded, future-ready students.