As the 2024-2025 School years come to a close, we want to acknowledge our student athletes who competed in this year’s spring sports. From the hot sunny days down on the tennis courts, to the home runs that rocketed into the gloomy skies up on the baseball field, to even the historic Thunderhut hardwood where volleyballs were being smacked, all Royals programs shined throughout the school year. So here is our spring sports recap!
SM Baseball
Royals Baseball pushed through all kinds of trials and tribulations throughout the season, after losing eight seniors from the prior year and only retaining four returning seniors for this year’s campaign. The Royals faced large adversity with the lack of experience they were dealt with.
They finished the year with an overall record of 9-19 and a league record of 6-8, just shy of a CIF-SS playoff spot. Despite it all, Royals Baseball battled hard, finishing the season strong, going 3-0 in their last three ballgames of the year. Sweeping Buena (4-3 & 6-2) and taking a victory on the Royals home diamond against St. Bonaventure, 6-2. “Tough season although we bonded really well, lost some games, but still had a lot of fun coming together at the end and just enjoying it.” said Senior Kieran Babai.
The future is bright for this young core of ball players at San Marcos with Freshman Quinn Melton, Sophomores Patrick Foster and David Burkholder. While Juniors Mason Crang and Miles Herbert look to lead the way for this Royals program for years to come.
SM Softball
Down a couple stairs past the football field and you’ll see the home of our San Marcos Softball team. The Royals found themselves in a similar situation to where the Baseball program was at. Six seniors headed on out and the squad was left with new faces to the varsity level.
Senior Captains Gianna Manderino and Kayla Aguilar led the Royals to a 11-14 overall record while going 6-8 in the Channel League. Although it wasn’t enough for a playoff bid in CIF-SS, the Royals were still able to get the season sweep against cross town rivals, Santa Barbara recording huge blowouts in each win (13-2 & 15-2).
Royals Softball looks to ride behind Junior Captain and three-time varsity starter Solana Sandova next year, putting the Royals future in good hands in the coming years as they hope to find themselves back in the CIF-SS playoffs once again next season.
SM Boys Volleyball
What a huge year it was for Royals boys volleyball this season. The first place squad led by their two seniors, Ayden Welch and Calvin Frisell were able to finish at the top of the Channel League, claiming an outright League title with a 9-1 record and an overall record of 23-10.
The Royals cleanly swept cross-town rival Dos Pueblos, beating them 3-2 in the Thunderdome and handing them a 3-1 loss in their own gym. Down the stretch of the regular season they also were able to squeak out a huge win on Santa Barbara’s home court, 3-1. Royals Volleyball recorded a 3-1 cross-town record, good enough for city champions.
With a very successful regular season the Royals earned a berth into the CIF-SS division 3 playoffs where they would take care of business in the first round, sweeping Claremont High school 3-0 behind Frisell’s 11 kills and .428 hitting percentage. With the win, the Royals faced a tough Orange Lutheran team in the second round where they would come up short, 3-1 to close out their memorable season.
“It was a lot of fun helping the underclassmen develop extremely well throughout the season, it was a great team to be able to play with and I know that the team will continue being successful in future seasons,” said senior Ayden Welch.
SM Girls Lacrosse
For the second straight year, girls lacrosse recorded a perfect 10-0 record in League to be crowned outright league champions. Their four senior captains, Molly McCarter, Liv Plourde, Gigi Mills and Sophia Llewellyn willed them to a 18-3 overall record and all four cross town wins against the Chargers and Dons. in those four games combined, the royals outscored their cross town opponent 72-22 with an average win margin of 12.5 points. Girls Lacrosse cruised to a City champion title after a 4-0 record against both in-town schools.
With a commanding regular season showcase the Royals earned a seed in the CIF-SS division 2 playoffs where they ended up just barely surviving Laguna Beach High school at home in round one, 11-10. They would then hit the road for their second round matchup where they would drop a tough one to a talented St. Margaret’s team, 14-9 to wrap up their season.
“The season went really well, we beat strong teams that we struggled with in the past and came together as a team throughout the season well. they will be good in the next few years with the upcoming players.” Said senior Sadie Adams.
SM Boys Lacrosse
Boys Lacrosse finished the year off 3-13 and 0-8 in the channel league but competed hard all season. The Royals wound up just short in a number of games, losing six of them by only two points or less including dropping an overtime thriller against University. “We started the season off good, then had a tough stretch after that. but it was fun for the rest of the season.” said Senior Atlas Olsen.
With a plethora of lower classmen talent it’s likely the Royals program is headed into the right direction under Head Coaches, Ike Chafkin and Isaac Chafkin for years to come.
SM Girls Beach Volleyball
Royals athletics dominated on the field, turf, and even in the sand. Girls beach volleyball thrived under the sun going 22-4 overall and a flawless 11-0 record in league. They ended their season as the 26th best team in the country and a 4-0 record against cross-town rivals. The Royals shutout the Chargers in each game, 5-0. While only allowing Santa Barbara to get one set on them in each of their two matchups, they squared off against, 4-1. City champs at its finest.
Being the No.8 team in the state, the Royals got to compete in the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs, welcoming Oaks Christian to San Marcos in the first round. The Royals escaped a round one victory, 3-2 over the Lions. But would then travel to Redonda Union in the second round, where San Marcos would ultimately drop 4-1 as Redonda Union would go on and win it all. Overall, a successful season to look back on for Royals Beach Volleyball.
SM Boys Golf
Another San Marcos school year means another boys golf league championship title. Five years of absolute dominance for the Royals on the course as they come out on top for their 5th consecutive season after cruising to another 7-0 record in League and 12-2 overall. The Royals beat both cross-town rivals Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara. “This year has been great as one of their leaders, I’m really happy how our young team has come together,” said sophomore Austin Downing.
Sophomores Andy Keenen and Austin Downing joined seniors Ethan Kawuhn and Himmat Singh to represent San Marcos in the CIF-SS northern individual regionals after strong showings in the final day of the Channel League Individuals championship. The duo of Keenen and Dowing finished the furthest advancing to the finals. Another top tier season for boys golf.
SM Girls Swim
Girls swim commanded under the water after capturing another Channel league championship behind senior Sierra Tallman’s historic performance in the last meet of the season before entering the CIF-SS playoffs.The Senior swimmer broke a 45 year-old Channel League record in the 200 IM while also setting a new school record in the 100 Breaststroke.
The Royals capped off their year in the pool taking fourth in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship after four Royals represented San Marcos in the meet. The four swimmers consisted of seniors Taylor Steelman, Tallman and juniors Sophia Hall and Sophie Yonker. Breaking multiple school records and dominating in the water, definitely a season to remember for this Royals swim crew.
SM Boys Swim
Under First year Boys head coach Chuckie Roth, the Royals team made a splash this season, wrapping it up in the CIF-SS division 2 championship meet at Mt. Sac. The Royals placed 22nd in the showing.
Prior to that though, boys swim swept Rio Mesa for an undefeated dual meet season in a 96-22 victory over the Spartans. The Royals also took home both cross-town wins in sweeps against the Dons and Chargers. Overall a well rounded season for the city Champs in the pool. “
SM Track & field
From shot put, Pole vaulting, to on the track races, the Royals repped blue and red with pride all season long. Boys track captured the county title as they took home first place in the Santa Barbara County championship, ahead of both Dos Pueblos and Santa Barbara. whereas Multiple athletes ended up qualifying for big time invitationals over the course of the season at Mt.Sac and at the CIF prelims.
Ethan Ball, RJ Robles, Dalton Shupe, Logan Patterson Deakyne and Brody Green are among the athletes for the Royals that advance further into the Finals after strong performances in the prelims. “The season was fun while it lasted and I appreciate all the coaches and my team mates for making the season fun.” Said senior runner David Ramirez
SM Boys Tennis
After dropping the first three games of the season boys tennis responded making a 13-4 run to end the regular season including sweeping the Chargers (10-8 & 11-7) and splitting the season series with the Dons one apiece. Boys tennis finished at the top of the standings with a 10-1 record in league and 13-7 overall.
The Royals continued to rally on the court, taking down both Fairmont prep in the first round at home 18-0 and La Quinta in the 2nd round of the CIF-SS division 3 playoffs 13-5. Boys tennis then would head down to LA in both their following two playoff matches where they would come out on top against St. Francis, 13-5 in the 3rd round and La Canada, 12-6 in the semi final match. “It was cool that we made a really deep cif run at the finals, it brought us together.” said Senior Spencer Bauar.
The Royals earned a spot in the division 3 title match against Cate High School where Cate would just barely survive the Royals, 11-7. Despite the loss, the Royals Exceeded expectations and created a season to remember. “A lot of us have been playing since we were eight together, it was just really cool to put together one final season.” Bauer added
