Justin Tam, Senior, Football

Justin is a senior in high school, and has played football for all four years during his time here at CdM. Unfortunately, the football was unable to make the CIF playoffs after last years great run to the semifinals. Tam plans to play football in college, most likely in a division three school. During his years here, he played as a wide receiver, outside linebacker, and a defensive back.

Sebastien Welch, Senior, Cross Country

Sebastien has been running for four years. This year Sebastien and his team are back in CIF finals, with the meet to take plce on Saturday. His running career started Freshman year in high school. He plans to continue his running in college. When asked where he would go to college, he stated, “probably somewhere on the east coast.”

Michael Liao, Senior, Water Polo

Michael is currently helping his team to the CIF title, with Newport Harbor in the way of the final game. Michael has played water polo since he was 11, and plans to continue to play water polo in college, most likely on the east coast. Michael’s position in water polo is driver, and he plays on the ½ side.

The stands were packed with fans from both Ventura High School and Corona del Mar High School.  Alumni, current students, and family were ready to cheer on their Varsity boys in the CIF Quarterfinals for waterpolo.

The game started off with the bagpiper that has appeared for several games.  Soon after he finished, the buzzer sounded and the boys were off.  Junior Chase Watson scored the first goal of the game in the first two minutes, giving CdM a  lead as he quickly scored two more goals, one off of a nice pass from senior Jim Krolopp.

In the second quarter, senior Max Bergeson scored two goals, and seniors Justin Papa and Blake Terry each scored one.  CdM held a lead all throughout the first half, with Ventura behind one or two points.  However, during the third quarter, the game got much tougher.  Bergeson scored another goal, as well as Papa.  Junior Evan Ramsey played a very good game.  He scored twice in the third quarter, and played well both offensively and defensively.  At the end of the quarter, CdM and Ventura were tied, 11 to 11.

The last quarter was nerve wracking.  CdM and Ventura scored one right after the other, keeping the fans keyed up and the score very close.  Watson and Ramsey each scored one goal, and Bergeson scored two.  Bergeson made the game winning goal with 4.87 seconds left in the game, winning the quarterfinals 15 to 14.

CdM was awarded two penalty shots, one from Watson and one from Emory Molnar.  Bergeson took both shots, but Ventura’s goalie blocked them, one of the few to do so.  Junior Bruce Bearer played a nice game in goal, blocking 13 goals throughout the night.

“I think the game was closer than it should have been,” said senior Katie McCormick.  “But the boys kept in control the whole time and [were] patient, especially in the last play.”

CdM plays rival Newport Harbor for the third time in the semifinals on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00pm at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center.  The past two times they faced Harbor, CdM has played hard, but lost.

Corona del Mar Sea Kings, currently rated second in Orange County, dominated the Esperanza Aztecs this past Veterans Day, 11 November in the first round of the CIF’s.

By 5:00 p.m. the poolside stands were filled to capacity with students, parents, and alumni who strongly supported the boys the whole game through.

In the first period senior Max Bergeson scored two goals. By the end of the period, Sea Kings were down by one point with a score of two to three.

Bergeson scored again in the second period along with senior Michael Liao. Junior Chase Watson scored two goals during the period, and the tide turned. At the end of the first half Sea Kings were up by two with the score being six to four.

During the half time show, spectators enjoyed the entertainment of several CdM Sea Queens in unusual costumes. The girls preformed a dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” and New Boyz’s “You’re a Jerk.”

In the third period Liao, Watson, and Bergeson each scored a goal.  Senior Blake Terry scored as well and brought the score to a total of ten to seven, with Sea Kings on top.

Goalie Bruce Bearer played strong through the night. Watson and Terry scored again in the last period and the Sea Kings won their first round CIF game twelve to seven.

“The boys played well , it was an exciting game. I’ll definitely be at the next one,” said senior Adina Zepfel.

The CIF Quarterfinals against Ventura are this Friday, November 13 at 5:00 p.m. The Sea Kings have not made it past the quarters in three years, so be sure to attend and show your support! Get there 15 minutes early for the bagpipes and introductions.

After two days of hard work and a lot of swimming, the CdM varsity water polo finished third on Halloween last Saturday. Finishing the weekend with a 3-1 record with only one loss to Newport Harbor in the semifinals, the Varsity is happy with the outcome despite their loss.

“We for sure thought we would come out and pound Harbor,” said junior Chase Watson. “I am ok with coming out in third, though I am disappointed we lost to Harbor. This puts us in a great spot for the playoffs.”

It seemed like the team would dominate the competition, roaring out of the gates on Friday with two easy wins versus Jesuit and Sacred Heart. Beating Jesuit 12-7, the Sea Kings continued the pressure and brought the game to Sacred Heart, winning 9-4 and allowing the entire team to get a shot at the action.

Saturday was not as successful, and CdM lost 5-7 in a hard fought match against Harbor, eliminating their run for the championship title. Despite this loss, the Sea King bounced back with a vengeance and crushed Coronado 16-11 to pull out a third. The team seemed solid regardless of their losses, and the team is in a solid position going into CIF.

“We are in good shape,” said Watson, “We need to stop making small mistakes, because it is these small things that make us lose those close games.”

Tonight, a close game was played by CdM’s varsity waterpolo team against Mater Dei.  The CdM Seakings started the game off with the first goal, but the Mater Dei Monarchs quickly grabbed the lead, and held it for the majority of the game.

Junior Bruce Bearer played an excellent game in goal.  He blocked several shots with dives, his head, and his chest.  The chants of “Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce” could be heard int he stands after every good play.

The first quarter was close.  Both seniors Max Bergeson and Michael Liao scored one goal, leading to a quarter tally of 2-2.  Junior Chase Watson scored in the second quarter.  Bergeson racked up another point on a penalty shot.  However, Mater Dei led 5-4.

Watson returned, scoring two points.  Bergeson threw another one- the game was tied 7-7 at the bottom of the third quarter.  The fourth quarter was tense.  Coach Barry O’Dea gained a yellow card after yelling at the ref.  Bergeson gained a short lead when he scored goal number eight (his fourth of the night.)  Liao tied the game back up with his second goal of the night.  Senior Justin Papa scored the game winning goal, leading the Seakings to victory, 10-9.

“[We] played an awesome game,” said senior Isle Anderson.

Corona del Mar had a tough game against Newport Harbor this past Saturday.  The infamous “Battle of the Bay” game was bright and sunny.  The Sea Kings were pumped and ready to go.

Senior Max Bergeson had five goals, including one that was shot from a half-pool length away. Seniors Justin Papa (two) and Blake Terry (one) also contributed.  However, the goals weren’t enough.  Newport Harbor kept the lead throughout the whole game except for once, when both teams were tied.

Coach Barry O’Dea received a yellow card after yelling at the ref.

“We played a really good game,” said senior Michael Liao.  ”We’ll meet again this weekend, and I think we’ll win.”

The CdM junior varsity annihilated Servite on Tuesday, giving them a wake up call they won’t soon forget. The Sea Kings won with a 16-3 finish, dominating both sides of the ball. In the first period alone Corona scored eight goals, giving them an 8-2 lead, and continued to steamroller the Friars.

Two minutes into the second the Sea Kings scored yet again, putting them in a great position with a seven-point lead. The Sea King defense was the foundation for their attack, allowing only two shots and no goals in the second period.

CdM continued to keep up the pressure, with minimal errors and swimming circles around the Servite defense. Scoring four more goals in the second half, the Sea Kings eventually had to stop scoring, pulling out of multiple breakaways and passing up open shots

“They [the team] played really well,” said freshman coach Matt Bishel, “they started working on new defenses such as the in-drop and the two-slide.”

These defenses were obviously effective, with the team’s play improving throughout the game. This outcome is a strong suggestion of what is to come from this incredibly talented junior varsity squad.

Both the Frosh/Soph team and the Varsity/JV team beat Laguna Hills last Wednesday.
Junior Chase Watson started the Varsity game (played by both Varsity and Junior Varsity because Laguna does not have a JV team) with a strong backhanded goal. He scored two more throughout the game. Senior Max Bergeson scored four times, followed by junior Hayden Leech with three goals. Junior Will Havercroft scored a goal on a penalty.
Senior Isle Anderson played the first half in goal. He blocked 11 shots. Junior Bruce Bearer played for a quarter and a half, blocking four shots. Sophomore (and junior varsity goalkeeper) AJ Santa Maria played for the last three minutes of the game.
Senior Michael Liao, juniors Ari Marks and Evan Ramsey, and sophomore Emory Molnar each scored one goal for a total of 15, beating Laguna Hill’s 11 points.
The Frosh/Soph team won 12 to 3.

Varsity boys water polo played hard this weekend in a competitive tournament. They won their first game against Bellarmine 12-7 and their second against Acalanes 8-4.
In the semi-final match against Miramonte, CdM was up 7-6 in the last minute and a half, but eventually  lost 8-7.
The final match was a close one, but CdM won out with an 8-7 lead over Coronado and received the third place title.

This past week, Corona del Mar’s varsity waterpolo team competed in the South Coast Tournament.  In their game on Friday, September 25, CdM battled Loyola.  They lost, eight to five.

Junior Chase Watson scored once, while senior Max Bergeson scored three times, leading the team.  Senior Justin Papa also scored once.

The game was an agressive one.  Fouls were constantly called on both teams.  Junior goalie Bruce Bearer played strong, blocking several shots with ease.

CdM previously played Edison on Thursday the 24th, winning 11 to 3.  Later, they played San Clemente and won 12 to 5.  They played the Bishops (La Jolla) on Saturday the 26th, winning 11 to 8.  They played again, later that day, for fifth place, but lost to Dos Pueblos 13 to 5.

CdM won sixth in the tournament, out of 25 teams in Southern California.