The 2025 fall athletic season in Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) was filled with championship performances, inspiring comebacks, and remarkable growth across all four high schools. From historic firsts to individual achievements, our student-athletes demonstrated their commitment to excellence on and off the field.

“Our student-athletes continue to raise the bar each season,” said Deputy Superintendent,  Secondary Education Kerrie Torres. “Their dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship exemplify the values we celebrate throughout our district.”

Here’s a recap of fall athletic achievements:

 

Corona del Mar High School (CdM)

• Girls Tennis capped an extraordinary season by winning the Sunset League Championship, CIF-SS Division 1 Championship, CIF SoCal Regional Championship, and competing in the CIF State Finals (Division 1). Senior Emilie Lew earned Sunset League MVP honors and led the team to individual league championships in singles, while Sophomore Julia Cross and Freshman Sienna Lynn captured doubles honors.
   
• Girls Flag Football finished with an 18-14 record, placing fourth in the Sunset League, and claimed the CIF-SS Championship (Division 2). Addison Stern was selected as the CIF Player of the Year and Head Coach Theo Rokos was chosen as the CIF Coach of the Year. Sophomores Mia Balabanian and AnnaSofia Dickens also earned All-CIF honors.
   
• Boys Water Polo advanced to the CIF-SS Finals (Open Division) and participated in the CIF State Playoffs, finishing with a 26–8 record and second place in the Sunset League.
   
• Football recorded a 9-2 season, sharing the Bravo League Championship and advancing to the CIF-SS Playoffs (Division 2). Senior Brady Annett was named Bravo League MVP, and Senior Cash Pearsall earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
   
• Boys Cross Country finished third in the Sunset League, qualified for the CIF-SS Finals, and ranked #15 in Division 3.
   
• Girls Golf placed third in the Sunset League and finished ninth in CIF Division 2 Finals.
   
• Girls Volleyball advanced to the CIF-SS Quarterfinals (Division 3), finishing fourth in the Sunset League with a 17-14 record. Senior Cassandra Doll earned All-CIF honors.
   
• Girls Cross Country took third in the Sunset League and qualified for CIF-SS Prelims.
   
• Sailing earned national recognition, with Senior Michael Sentovich winning the ISSA 2025 Cressy Singlehanded ILCA 7 Open Championship and Junior Siena Nichols placing fourth in the ILCA 6 Girls event. CdM will compete in the Doublehanded and Team Race National Championships.

 

Costa Mesa High School

• Football had a remarkable season, finishing Tango League Champions. This was their first league title in 13 years. The Mustangs finished the year with an overall record of 9-2 and 5-0 in league play. Louis Arreola was named Defensive MVP, Gavin Garza Offensive MVP, and Andrew Waiss Tango League MVP.
   
• Girls Flag Football rebounded from a three-win season the previous year to a 12–8 record and advanced to the CIF Division 5 Playoffs. Kassandra Ramirez and Myah Hernandez earned first-team league honors, while Sierra Kelly earned second-team honors.
   
• Girls Tennis qualified for the CIF playoffs for the first time in several years, reaching the second round after finishing second in league play. The program now boasts 32 players and new tennis courts.
   
• Boys & Girls Cross Country each finished third in their respective leagues (Boys: Orange Coast League, Girls: Golden West) and both qualified for CIF. These young teams show strong promise for the future.
   
• Boys Water Polo competed in the Golden Empire Conference’s highest division, led by first-team All-League player Kingston Do and second-team All-League Avrum Xagorarakis. The program moves to the Orange Coast league next year, setting the stage for a league championship run.
   
• Girls Volleyball competed in the Conference’s highest division, the Empire League, narrowly missing playoffs. Isabel Ortega-Davidson earned All-League first team honors, while Lucca Miller and Gracie Glass earned second team honors.
   
• Girls Golf gained valuable experience this season and competed strongly against older, more seasoned players, setting up future success.

 

Estancia High School

• Girls Volleyball won their first league championship in school history, finishing with a 15–10 record. League Offensive Player of the Year Senior Abby McIntyre led a young core of three freshmen and two sophomores.
   
• Girls Golf went undefeated (15-0) and captured the Coast League Championship in the Orange Grove Conference. The team placed seventh in CIF Division 5, with four individual CIF qualifiers. Junior Dora Alliman was named Golfer of the Year.
   
• Cross Country saw a major increase in participation under first-year head coach Jose Anaya, with the program fielding both varsity and JV teams for boys and girls for the first time in over ten years. The girls' team qualified for CIF for the first time since 2010, finishing sixth, led by Junior twin sisters Abigail and Sophia Zarate. Meanwhile, the boys JV team captured the league championship, marking a significant milestone for the program’s growth.
   
• Girls Flag Football finished tied for second in league and reached the CIF quarterfinals. Junior Aisleen Avalos anchored the defense, while the JV team went undefeated. Junior Paloma Silva earned All-CIF honors.
   
• Boys Water Polo finished second in the Coast League and qualified for CIF Playoffs. Senior Davis Grubel scored 48 goals.
   
• Girls Tennis qualified for CIF Playoffs and featured three CIF individual qualifiers (Junior Alison Smet, Senior Kylie Ines, Freshman Ella Smith). The program saw a major turnaround under first-year head coach Eduardo Reyes.
   
• Football finished 6-4, including a win in the annual Battle of the Bell against Costa Mesa. Senior Brandon Bettinghausen was named Sigma League Defensive Player of the Year. The program demonstrated strong senior leadership and community involvement.

 

Newport Harbor High School

• Boys Water Polo dominated with a 33-1 record, capturing the Sunset League Championship, CIF-SS Open Division Championship, CIF State SoCal Regional Championship, and earning recognition as National Champions (MaxPreps). Senior Kai Kaneko was named Sunset League and CIF-SS MVP. This marks the program’s 16th CIF-SS title, the most in section history.
   
• Girls Flag Football won the Sunset League Championship for the third consecutive year (23-3 overall, 11-1 league) and qualified for the CIF-SS Division 1 Playoffs. Sophomore Scarlett Guyser earned Sunset League MVP, with Senior Cooper Dick and Sophomore Skylie Cid earning league Defensive and Offensive Players of the Year, respectively. All three students earned post-season honors, with Guyser and Cid being named to the All CIF-SS team and Dick being selected for the Orange County All-Star Game.
   
• Girls Volleyball finished 25-9, ranked 12th in CIF, and qualified for the Division 1 playoffs, continuing the program’s storied tradition.
   
• Field Hockey advanced to the Tournament of Champions Finals with a 14-7-3 overall record (5-1-1 in league), maintaining a high level of play.
   
• Girls Cross Country advanced to the CIF-SS Finals for the second consecutive year, finishing 15th overall in CIF. Freshman Allie Cabal was the top individual finisher.

From CIF champions to league victories and outstanding individual performances, the 2025 fall athletic season in NMUSD was full of remarkable achievements. Beyond wins, student-athletes demonstrated perseverance, teamwork, and character, preparing them for success in the classroom, the community, and life beyond high school.