The 2026 winter athletic season in Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) highlighted the strength of our programs, with league championships, CIF success, and continued growth across all four comprehensive high schools. Student-athletes demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence in both competition and the classroom.

“Our winter season reflects the opportunities NMUSD provides for students to grow as athletes, leaders, and teammates,” said Deputy Superintendent, Secondary Education Kerrie Torres. “These experiences help prepare students for success well beyond high school.”

Here is a recap of this winter’s highlights:

 

Corona del Mar High School (CdM)

• Boys Basketball finished 27-4 and captured the Sunset League Championship with an undefeated record. The Sea Kings were ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Open Division and advanced to the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs. Maxwell Scott was named Sunset League MVP.
   
• Girls Water Polo finished 18-11 and placed second in the Sunset League. Ranked No. 7 in the CIF-SS Open Division, the team advanced to the CIF quarterfinals.
   
• Wrestling posted a 9-4 record, placed third in the league, and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 3 quarterfinals. Aaron Silva earned a CIF championship title.
   
• Girls Soccer finished 10-7-3 and placed fifth in Sunset League competition.
   
• Girls Basketball finished 13-15 and placed fourth in the league.
   
• Boys Soccer finished 1-13-2 as the program continued to build for the future.

 

Costa Mesa High School

• Girls Basketball captured the Orange Coast League Championship, finishing 20-8 overall and 8-0 in league play. The Mustangs advanced to the second round of CIF Division 5 playoffs. Leilani Quero was named League MVP, joined by first-team honorees Myah Martinez and Emi Kamikihara.
   
• Girls Soccer won the Empire League title with a 6-0-2 record and finished 12-3-5 overall. Emiley Davis was named League MVP and Gianna Matian earned Player of the Year honors, with multiple Mustangs earning first-team recognition.
   
• Girls Water Polo finished second in the Empire League and advanced to the CIF quarterfinals. Several student-athletes earned all-league honors, highlighting a strong and developing roster.
   
• Wrestling delivered strong results, including Masters qualifier Andres Ayala. Klaus Hinkle and Lauralynn Garcia each won league championships, and the Mustangs secured a second consecutive Battle of the Bell victory.
   
• Boys Soccer showed significant improvement, finishing second in league. Carlos Alcala was named Offensive Player of the Year, supported by multiple all-league selections.
   
• Boys Basketball focused on growth under first-year head coach Garrett Young. Senior Parker Hylton earned first-team all-league honors, and the team gained valuable experience, including competing at Intuit Dome.

 

Estancia High School

• Girls Soccer secured a third consecutive league championship with an undefeated record in league play. The Eagles scored 79 goals while allowing just 12. Jana Akins and Vanessa Pastrana are committed to continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
   
• Boys Soccer finished 16-3 overall and captured the league championship with an undefeated record. The program also saw strong success across levels, including a JV league championship. Senior Gabe Johner committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha.
   
• Boys Basketball overcame early injuries to win the league championship. Key contributions from Manny Salinas, Jaden Vivar, Jaxon Steck, and Drew Romine highlighted a season defined by resilience and teamwork.
   
• Girls Water Polo made program history by winning its first league championship and securing a Battle of the Bell victory. Senior leadership played a key role in the program’s continued growth.
   
• Wrestling placed second in league with ten CIF qualifiers. Jeff Brown placed eighth at CIF, and Jordyn Johnson earned a league title and strong CIF performance.
   
• Girls Basketball showed steady development throughout the season, highlighted by a buzzer-beater victory and a five-game win streak.

 

Newport Harbor High School

• Girls Water Polo finished 27-5, captured the Sunset League Championship, and advanced to the CIF-SS Open Division semifinals. Juniors Gabby Alexson and Emerson Mulvey were named Sunset League Co-MVPs.
   
• Girls Soccer finished 17-7-4 and advanced to the CIF-SS Championship game for the first time in school history. Junior Maddy Michel was named Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year.
   
• Boys Soccer finished 16-5-2 and advanced to the CIF-SS Championship game. Senior Jack Shepherd was named Sunset League Defensive Player of the Year.
   
• Cheer had a historic season, finishing as runners-up at the CIF-SS Championships and placing fourth at the USA National Cheerleading Championships.
   
• Boys Basketball finished 16-13 and advanced to the CIF-SS playoffs.

The winter season across NMUSD reflects the district’s commitment to providing high-quality athletic programs that support student growth, achievement, and school pride. Through competition, leadership, and teamwork, NMUSD student-athletes continue to build skills that prepare them for success in the classroom and beyond.