News Summary
Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been awarded the prestigious State School of the Year title by Cal-Hi Sports, showcasing their outstanding athletic performance. The girls swimming team secured their sixth consecutive CIF state title, while achievements in track, golf, and basketball contributed to this significant recognition. The school’s consistent excellence in sports has not only earned them the title multiple times but also highlighted the competitive spirit among their student-athletes.
Rancho Santa Margarita – Santa Margarita Catholic High School has been awarded the prestigious title of State School of the Year for the 2024-25 school year by Cal-Hi Sports, marking a significant achievement in the school’s athletic history. This recognition, awarded only once every few years, is the school’s second commendation in three years and the third overall, underscoring its consistent excellence in sports.
The award reflects the impressive performances across various sports teams at Santa Margarita. Notably, the girls swimming team achieved an outstanding milestone by securing its sixth consecutive CIF state title during this academic year. Among the standout athletes, Teagan O’Dell made headlines by claiming victories in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 backstroke events at the CIF finals, helping the girls’ team amass over 200 points during the championship held in Clovis.
In addition to swimming, other sports showcased remarkable achievements. Leo Francis, a track athlete, captured CIF state championships in both the long jump and the 200-meter dash. The athletic prowess of the school’s teams continued to shine with commendable performances in golf. Both the boys and girls golf teams finished in second place at the CIF state championships, showcasing their competitive spirit. This level of achievement contributed significantly to the overall points securing Santa Margarita’s title as State School of the Year.
The boys basketball team also had a successful season, tying for the Trinity League title with a solid 8-2 record. Meanwhile, the baseball team made headlines by upsetting the nationally-ranked Huntington Beach team during the CIFSS D1 playoffs and reached the championship game against St. John Bosco, narrowly losing in extra innings with a final score of 3-2.
On the soccer front, the girls’ soccer team triumphed in the CIF Southern Section Open Division but faced a tough challenge in the CIF SoCal D1 regional playoffs where they were defeated by Santiago of Corona. Adding to the school’s athletic accomplishments, the girls golf team fell just three shots short of the state championship title, securing a commendable second place at the CIF state championships. The girls cross country team also achieved a commendable second place in their CIF D3 state championship race.
Furthermore, the boys swimming team took 11th place at the state championships, contributing valuable points to the school’s overall tally. The flag football team recorded a solid season with a 19-6 record but was eliminated by Canyon of Anaheim in the CIFSS D1 quarterfinals. The girls volleyball team made a strong impression by reaching the CIF SoCal D1 semifinals with a record of 25-15.
Santa Margarita Catholic High School’s legacy in athletics is well-established, having previously received honors as State School of the Year dating back to the 1997-98 school year, primarily recognized for the successful trajectory of its football program. The school’s athletic success is managed by Vice President of Athletics Jim Hartigan, along with Athletic Directors Annie Garrett and Donald Evans, and Assistant Athletic Director Justin Bell.
With the remarkable achievements in the 2024-25 school year, Santa Margarita Catholic High School continues to exemplify excellence in sports, fostering a strong competitive spirit among its student-athletes and enhancing its reputation within the education and sports communities.
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Additional Resources
- Cal-Hi Sports: Santa Margarita State School of the Year
- Wikipedia: Santa Margarita Catholic High School
- OC Register: CIF State Swimming Titles
- Google Search: Santa Margarita Catholic High School athletics
- LA Times: Teagan O’Dell Swimming Records
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Athletics
- OC Register: Teagan O’Dell Orange County Athlete of the Year
- Google News: Santa Margarita athletics
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
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