By: Tasha Greenberg

If you follow CdM sports at all, then Reed Williams is a familiar name.  This senior, captain of the Boys Varsity team, was named Offensive Player of the Year in Division IV, 1st team All-League, 1st team All-County, and 1st team All-CIF.  He was also the Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week.  He led the team in goals, scoring 32 goals with 12 assists.  Williams, who was recruited for UCLA as a junior, was a vital component to the many new victories that the team won this year.

With Williams as captain, CdM made history this year as they not only made CIF finals, but proceeded to win finals and became the new state championships.

However, this season wasn’t all fun and games.  Williams was out for a month due to a hamstring injury.  When he returned to the field though, his footwork was as fast and fancy as it was before. As the season progressed, opposing teams got smart and put two to three defenders on Williams.  It was a struggle, but Williams still managed to out-maneuver most of the defenders.

Chris Burke

by Paul Zubatov

CdM Boys Varsity Soccer had an undoubtedly good year.  In a landmark season, the Boys became South Coast Classic Champions, Co-league Champions, and for the first time in school history, not only advanced to the CIF Final, but won in a decisive 2-0 victory over La Mirada High School.

Great respect and thanks goes out to all the players.  However, several have become the CdM Boys Soccer Winter Athletes: Chris Burke, Reed Williams, and Paul Zubatov.

Chris Burke will be highlighted and praised in this article, while the extreme commitments of Williams and Zubatov will be commended in parallel features-be sure to check them all out.

Christopher Bryan Burke.  A man of many faces, and talents, most notably, on the soccer field.  Fellow teammates of his remark upon his playing style.

Sophomore Greg Allen said, “I look up to Burke the most out of all the seniors.  No offense to Tone Bone or Konch, but he’s my hero.  When I grow up, I want to be like Burke.”

Admirable words Mr. Allen.  Some of his teammates cared to add, “He’s a fine man, a fine fine man.  I can always trust him to make clutch plays.  I remember when he got nutmegged and then I stole the ball and passed to Reed [Williams], and he scored – couldn’t have happened without Burke.”

The player chose to remain anonymous.

Chris Burke grew up playing for several boy’s club soccer teams, including ISC Strikers and Slammers FC, where he played amongst such greats as yours truly.

“His talents were immediately recognized when he came out to tryouts in the fall.  I knew he was a good player, but I wanted to reserve some judgement for when he stepped out on the field,” said Varsity Head Coach George Larsen.  ”He didn’t disappoint.”

Having played varsity at Sage High School for the past two years, Burke was never-the-less welcomed as part of the team.  He started and finished the year playing midfield, largely in the center-mid position.

An incredible asset to the team, Burke amassed a respectable 7 goals and 9 assists for the season.

Hayley Raguse

By Katherine Fox

Senior Hayley Raguse has every reason to be the February athlete of the month for soccer. Raguse has been playing varsity soccer for four years as a left midfield and a left forward. This past season she made a huge difference for the soccer team by assisting and scoring many goals. To Raguse, soccer is more than just a sport; it is a part of her life. Through soccer she has made countless friends and found a way to exercise and have fun at the same time.

“I love soccer because even though I have been playing for thirteen years, I still get excited to go to practice everyday and I get the same adrenaline rush before every game,” said Raguse. Next fall Raguse hopes to play club soccer in college.

Pippa Saunders

By Erik Ctvrlik

Sophomore Pippa Saunders is one of the younger members of the girl’s water polo team, and has been known for her hard work in both practice and games. Though only a sophomore, Saunders has already made a name for herself, and was posted by OCVarsity as one of the top ten sophomores in the country. The third seed in the CIF tournament, CdM lost to Newport Harbor in the semifinals. Saunders played center for the Sea Queens and worked hard to assert her dominance in the middle.

Margot Money

by Natasha Marron

While most of us were snuggled up in our flannel sheets and wool blankets this past winter in the mornings, star water polo athlete senior Margot Money was already up and running in the CdM pool starting at 5:00AM each day. She has overcome several hardships in her water polo career, the grusome practices were only the begining of it.

“We lost ten of [class of '09] seniors this year, so that was definitely a challenge,” comments Money, “but all of the girls worked really hard and we strided through really well.”  This seasons’ team was relatively made up of younger girls than normal to add to the challenge, however Margot did her best to take the younger players under her wing and spent the  year giving pointers. “My biggest advice is to give it your all but its just as important to have fun while you’re doing it,” adds Money.

With team trips to Hawaii and celebrating their Division I win at CIF, Margot lead the team by motivating the other players and living up her water polo career to the fullest.

Money has been swimming since age four and competitively starting at age six, this then led up to water polo career starting in fifth grade. Her college plans at this point are not set in stone, but she hopes to attend Brigham Young University in the fall and continue to play water polo.

“I’m going to miss all of the girls and how close we all got with each other,” Money says. She is overall happy with how this year turned out and is eager to continue with her success in college.

Victoria Kent

by Madi Mains

Senior Victoria Kent was a star player on Corona del Mar High School’s Girls Varsity Water Polo Team. This year, she helped the team win the CIF Quarterfinals against Edison High School, allowing them to play Newport Harbor High School in the Semifinals.

“Playing for the CdM water polo has impacted my life in so many ways, it has it taught me the true meaning of discipline and hard work. Though it was very difficult at some points, I loved it and all the girls on the team,” said Kent.

The girls were very dedicated and religiously attended their 5 AM practices before school.

“This season was more difficult than most,” said Kent.

This season’s team was made up of relatively younger girls than normal. After loosing ten seniors last year, the team struggled to adjust. They adjusted well, and ended the season with great success.

As Kent prepares for graduation, she reflected on her memories of the water polo team.

“I am going to miss everything, but especially how close we all were and our preparation in the team room before our games,” said Kent.

Although, she will miss the team she grew so close to, water polo will continue to play a vital role in Kent’s life as she joins the UCLA team in the fall.

Ramon Mejia

by Jenna Shapiro

As a junior on the Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team, Ramon Mejia ruled the court and scoreboards as a true Sea King this past season.

Throughout the season, Mejia, who plays a guard, had 62 rebounds, 65 steals, 84 assists, and nine blocks. Additionally, Mejia scored an astounding 344 points during the season.

“(Ramon) is an excellent all-around scorer. He wants to win and he knows he needs to be aggressive,” said Coach Schachter.

He managed, however, to have only eight personal fouls throughout the entire basketball season.

Schachter said, “He works hard on his game and he’s come a long way.”

The 6’2’’ athlete is sure to only improve with another basketball season ahead of him next year. Great job, Ramon!

Ally Brahs-Girls Varsity Soccer

by Lauren Fox

Sophomore Ally Brahs has been one of the outstanding players on this year’s girls’ varsity soccer team. With the six goals and seven assists, she had this season she definitely helped the Sea Queen’s have a great season.

“Overall this season was really fun!”  said Brahs.

Brahs has been playing since she was four and started playing on the Slammer club team when she was nine. With many years of club soccer experience, Brahs has become a great athlete.

“When I was younger I really wanted to be just like Mia Hamm, I read a lot of books on her, she was my soccer idol and my influence,” said Brahs. Along with Mia Hamm, Brahs has had another influence, her coach, Mr. Middleton.

“Middleton has always had a positive attitude which inspired me to try my hardest,” said Brahs.

Brahs contributed to the girls’ season, scoring several goals and assists throughout league and also helping out on the defensive side of the field. Overall, Brahs felt that the team this year was terrific, they all played very well and bonded.

“We bonded a lot this year and I think that showed on the field,” said Brahs.

The Sea Queen’s teamwork and dedications led them to many victories, and having Brahs as one of the many hardworking players on the team made this year’s season even better!