High School Sports Reaches Its Final Month Amidst May Chaos
Revved-Up Rundown of High School Sports May Madness
It's the nail-biting finale of the 2024-25 high school sports season, with a multitude of spring championships on the horizon and fall football preparations underway.
Let's delve into the calendar and potential drama that brews.
Waves and Plunges
The Southern Section finals for swimming are happening on May 11 at Mt. San Antonio College, while the City Section finals will splash down on the same day at L.A. Valley College. The state championships will submerge from May 15-17 at Clovis West.
Keeping a close eye on the scene is undisputed four-year Santa Margarita standout, Teagan O'Dell, who aims to make a splash before she dives into her collegiate career with California's Golden Bears, potentially breaking records en route to a girls' sixth state championship.
Decked Out in Lacrosse
Palisades triumphed over both boys' and girls' City Section championships last week. Girls' finals are slated for May 16 at El Modena, while the boys' will face off on May 17 at the same venue.
In boys lacrosse, Loyola and Mira Costa are perched atop the seeds, ready to make their mark.
Climb, Slide, and Bust Balls
Corona enjoys the helm with a 26-2 record in baseball, leading the Southern Section power rankings. Playoff seedings will be revealed on May 12, with championship games set for May 30 and 31 at Cal State Fullerton and Blair Field in Long Beach. Stay tuned for Corona's future phenom, Seth Hernandez, as he competes in this summer's MLB amateur draft.
In the City Section, contenders like Birmingham and El Camino Real are wolfing down their competition to secure the West Valley League championship. The championships are set for May 24 at Dodger Stadium.
Steel, Leather, and Thunder
Norco, Rosary, and Orange Lutheran appear to be the teams to beat in Southern Section softball. The finals will unfurl in Irvine on May 30-31. With the absence of a dominating pitcher, hitters like Orange Lutheran's Kai Minor (an Oklahoma commit) have a golden opportunity to drive their team to victory.
Sand and Spikes
Mira Costa is the top seed in the Southern Section Division 1 volleyball playoffs, concluding on May 16-17 at Cerritos College. The state championships will follow on May 31 at Santiago Canyon College.
In the City Section, Venice earned the No. 1 seed for the Open Division tournament on May 10, with championships to be played on May 17 at Birmingham.
Nets, Whacks, and Rallies
The City Section championships for tennis will be played on May 17 at Palisades High School, led by legendary coach Bud Kling, who boasts a staggering 53 combined boys' and girls' titles. Beckman and Irvine University are the favorites to nab a Southern Section Open Division title during the finals on May 16 at the University of Redlands.
Gridiron Gear-Up
High school football teams are indoors, practicing for college showcases and seven-on-seven competitions. An exciting showdown is planned for May 9 at Sierra Canyon, where Newbury Park and quarterback Brady Smigiel face the Trailblazers' standout secondary, led by USC commit Madden Riordan. Keep an eye out for Long Beach Millikan's big seven-on-seven event on May 17, featuring 20 teams.
Wind, Speed, and Flight
The Southern Section track and field finals are scheduled for May 17 at Moorpark High, with Masters Meet on May 24 and state championships on May 30-31 at Buchanan High in Clovis. The City Section finals will happen on May 22 at Birmingham's new Mondo track.
At the Arcadia Invitational, you could catch glimpses of Servite's young sprinters, Temecula Valley's Jack Stadlman in the 400, Santa Margarita's Leo Francis in the long jump, and Aliso Niguel's Jaslene Massey in the girls' shotput.
Tees and Greens
The City Section championships for golf will be played May 21 at Harding Golf Course, while the Southern Section team finals transpire May 19-20, followed by the individual final on May 22. Keep an eye peeled for St. Francis freshman Jaden Soong, as he vies for an individual title.
- The Southern Section finals for swimming will be held on May 11 at Mt. San Antonio College, while the City Section finals will take place on the same day at L.A. Valley College.
- In boys lacrosse, Loyola and Mira Costa are poised to make their mark in the upcoming playoffs.
- Corona's baseball team, with a 26-2 record, leads the Southern Section power rankings, and playoff seedings will be announced on May 12.
- In the City Section, Birmingham and El Camino Real are leading the West Valley League championship race in baseball.
- Orange Lutheran's Kai Minor, an Oklahoma commit, has a golden opportunity to drive her softball team to victory, with the Southern Section finals set to take place in Irvine on May 30-31.
- Mira Costa is the top seed in the Southern Section Division 1 volleyball playoffs, with the state championships scheduled for May 31 at Santiago Canyon College.
- You could catch Servite's young sprinters, Temecula Valley's Jack Stadlman in the 400, Santa Margarita's Leo Francis in the long jump, and Aliso Niguel's Jaslene Massey in the girls' shotput at the Arcadia Invitational.
