Schools
ESPN Honors ANHS National Champions
A pizza party was held Thursday in honor of the Aliso Niguel girls' soccer team.
For Aliso Niguel High School senior Sammy Jo Prudβhomme this may just be the perfect ending to her high school career.
βThis is such an exciting thing. Itβs something that doesnβt happen too often and may never happen again,β she said.
Prudβhomme was the Division 1 player of the year as a member of the Aliso Niguel Wolverines girlsβ soccer team, who are now ranked #1 in the nation.
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The team was honored Thursday by ESPN High School for their accomplishments and top ranking in the Powerade Fab 50, a weekly ranking complied by ESPNHS of the nationβs high school sports teams.
This is the first national title for any ANHS sports team, according to coach Randy Dodge.
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The ceremony and pizza party was held at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center and welcomed several city officials, including Mayor Don Garcia; Council members Phil Tsunoda, Carmen Cave and William Phillips; and Capistrano Unified School District Board President Gary Pritchard.
βThis is fantastic,β Garcia said. βThey are national champions. I think that says it all.β
Dodge said this is an amazing time for the team, who he hopes will hold on to this feeling their entire lives, adding he wonβt forget the feeling when they beat their βarch rivalsβ in San Clemente. From the field at the moment of victory, Dodge said he remembers the βdeathly silenceβ coming from one side of the stadium and the roar of cheers that came from the other.
βThese girls just keep riding this wave. This happened in March, now its June and itβs like it happened yesterday,β Dodge said.
In front of a crowd of supporters and enthusiastic parents, the Wolverineβs received their team trophy, medals and national champion rings during the ceremony.
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