Sports Shorts: Santa Margarita Names Interim Boys Water Polo Coach

Paden Mitchell, an assistant boys water polo coach at since May, has been named the interim head coach of the team, replacing Craig Brown, the school announced Thursday.

Brown, who will remain at the school and take on the title of director of boys water polo, stepped down from coaching because of increased work commitments.

“My goal is to continue to establish a high level of work ethic, consistency and pride in the program,” Mitchell said in a press release. “My coaching philosophy is that the team will hold itself to the highest standards possible, being disciplined in the classroom and on the pool deck.”

Last season, the Eagles finished 9-21 overall and 2-2 in the Trinity League. They lost their first-round CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoff game, 20-4, to Newport Harbor.

Mitchell has coached water polo since 2007 and has been the head coach of the 12-and-under boys team for the SOCAL Water Polo Foundation since 2009. He has also served as the head eighth grade-and-under Olympic development coach for USA Water Polo Southern Pacific Zone since 2010.

“Paden is known in Orange County as one of the top water polo coaches,” Santa Margarita Aquatics Director Kevin Ricks said. “He has tremendous knowledge of the game.”

Mitchell played varsity water polo at Villa Park High for two seasons, helping the Spartans win league titles and reach the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs twice. Before coaching at Santa Margarita, he was an assistant boys water polo coach at his alma mater for two seasons and previously served as an assistant girls water polo coach.

Troy Surprises Eagles With a Clubbing

Santa Margarita’s girls golf team was upset Wednesday by Troy High from Fullerton, 206-225, in a nonleague match at Dove Canyon Country Club. Sophomore Kelly Dapper, an All-Trinity League first-teamer last season for the Eagles, shared medalist honors by shooting a three-over-par 39 on the course’s front nine.

Santa Margarita will have an immediate chance to rebound as the Eagles play St. Margaret’s in a nonleague match Thursday on the South course at Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club.

In other girls golf on Wednesday, Theodora Yoch and Janelle Schweitzer each carded one-under 35s at Mission Viejo Country Club to lead Tesoro to a nonleague victory over Mission Viejo, 201-241.

Fly Like an Eagle

Check out this video from OC Varsity on the opening of Santa Margarita's fall football training camp.

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