THE CLASS OF 2000

BADMINTON

AHN NGUYEN, FULLERTON

Ahn Nguyen is probably the best male badminton player in the Freeway League, but whether he will play singles or doubles is up in the air. He partnered with Wen Mai, now graduated, in last season’s Southern Section individual championships, and the two, seeded third, advanced to the finals in boys’ doubles. They lost to the top-seeded team of Ding Huynh and Chris Ngu, 15-8, 15-13, but it was a huge step for the Fullerton program, which has been on the rise the past three seasons. Nguyen, a second-team Times All-County selection last year, will need to pick up a reliable partner this year if he hopes to advance to the individual finals again.

BASEBALL

JEFF TUTTLE, VILLA PARK

While area baseball fans expected Canyon and Foothill to decide which would be the Century League champion last spring, Villa Park swooped in and took the title. And Jeff Tuttle was a big reason why. Tuttle, 17, batted .514 with 11 home runs and 35 runs batted in over 26 games. He was one of two juniors to make the Times Orange County first team as an outfielder, although he has the arm to be a good pitcher. Spartans Coach Tom Tereschuk, who went to Villa Park last year after coaching at Servite, said Tuttle is “an extremely talented athlete physically who is still growing emotionally.” So far, Cal State Fullerton and Loyola Marymount have shown the most interest in Tuttle.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

STEVE SCOGGIN, MATER DEI

The pressure will be on 6-foot-1 guard Steve Scoggin to repeat his feat as the county boys’ basketball player of the year. He earned that honor with a series of heroics in 1998-99. This season he’ll need to average at least what he did last year to be in the running: 14.3 points, 75% from the line and 42.3% from three-point range. But most assuredly, his ability to take charge of the Monarchs when they’re under the gun should prove to be his greatest asset. Tough and quick, he was the Monarchs’ leading scorer and the leader on the floor that led them to a Southern Section Division I-A title and into the state Division I title game.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

GIULIANA MENDIOLA, EL TORO

Giuliana Mendiola averaged 24.8 points per game last season, leading the county in scoring for the second consecutive year and carrying El Toro to the Southern Section Division I-AA championship game. But her sister, Gioconda (17.7 ppg), graduated along with other key players, leaving Giuliana to fend for herself this season against opponents who will surely throw every conceivable defense at her. She’s seen the box-and-one before, but she might spend the season facing a box-and-one. There might not be a game this season in which she isn’t triple-teamed. And she’ll still average 20 points.

BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

DANNY MEJIA, KATELLA

Danny Mejia was the Southern Section Division II individual champion last season after covering the Mt. San Antonio College course in 15 minutes 31.59 seconds. His victory helped the Knights to the Division II team title and his fifth-place finish a week later led Katella to its first state title. Mejia was sixth at the Orange County Championships as the Knights won that invitational by 38 points over Santa Ana, then the second-ranked team in Division I. Mejia finished second at the Empire League finals as a freshman and sophomore. During a dual meet his sophomore season, Mejia handed Loara’s Jose Herrera his only league loss. Mejia was also a vital part of Katella’s victories two years in a row at the Mt. SAC freshman and sophomore races.

GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

VALERIE MORRIS, IRVINE

Valerie Morris was a big part of Irvine’s Division I state title last season, but should make more noise individually this season with the departure of several teammates to the newly opened Northwood High. Morris was the first Irvine runner to cross the finish line at Woodward Park in Fresno, placing 15th in 18 minutes 53 seconds. It was quite an improvement for the Vaqueros, who finished third in the competitive Sea View League. Earlier in the 1998 season, Morris helped Irvine to the Southern Section Division I title with a 16th-place finish (19:14.61). Her success goes all the way back to her freshman running days, when she helped the Vaqueros to the Sea View League title with an eighth-place finish. Two years ago Morris won the Division I sophomore race at both the Laguna Hills and Dana Hills invitationals.

FIELD HOCKEY

MELISSA WHITE, MARINA

Melissa White is one of several strong goalkeepers in the Sunset League this season, and she could possibly be the best. She began playing to get in shape for softball, but now she concentrates only on field hockey. A good one-on-one player who reads the angles well, White was named the Sunset League’s most valuable goalie last season. Strong games against Edison and Newport Harbor, could lead Marina to its first league title.

FOOTBALL

MATT GROOTEGOED, MATER DEI

Matt Grootegoed has one more season to complete his football legacy at Mater Dei. It could be a legacy that rises above all those before him. Coach Bruce Rollinson has said the 6-0, 195-pound senior--who led the Southern Section Division I champions in rushing last season and was also voted the Division I defensive player of the year--”could be the best player we’ve ever had at Mater Dei.” Rollinson bases his assessment on the fact no other Monarchs football player received so many postseason honors as a junior.

BOYS’ GOLF

BRIAN SINAY, UNIVERSITY

Sinay will enter the golf season next spring with an opportunity to make history once again. The Trojan senior already holds the Southern Section individual finals record, a mark he set last season when he shot 65 to better the mark set by Tiger Woods by one shot. Sinay, who also won as a freshman, will be looking to equal the section record of three career individual titles shared by Woods (1991, ’93 and ‘94), Mac Hunter (‘45-47) and Boots Porterfield (‘42-44).

GIRLS’ GOLF

ANGELA RHO, SONORA

Because Sonora does not offer golf for girls or boys, you won’t see Rho’s name in any prep boxscores. That doesn’t mean she should be overlooked as the top girls’ golfer in the county. After winning three major national tournaments over the summer, including the prestigious Junior World championship, Rho has vaulted to No. 7 in the nation among junior girls. She is among the most sought-after girls by Division I colleges and will attend Stanford next year.

BOYS’ SOCCER

SPENCER GEORGE, SANTA MARGARITA

Spencer George has already won three Southern Section championships and he was a first-team Times all-county performer last year. So what’s left to accomplish for George, the last of five soccer-playing brothers? “I’ve got some personal goals,” said George, who had 10 goals and 20 assists last year. “All my brothers said their senior year was more difficult because more was expected of them. Hopefully, I’ll play like I know I can. I’ve been working on developing my skill on offense and being more aggressive and trying to score more goals.” George’s 4.5 grade-point average, 1350 SAT score and skill level make him one of the more heavily recruited players in California, though he is limiting his options to UCLA and Stanford. “He’s the best all-around player I’ve coached and his work rate is incredible,” Santa Margarita Coach Curt Bauer said. “He never misses a trap, a sweep or a pass. He misses a shot from time to time, but never one when it’s just him and the keeper.”

GIRLS’ SOCCER

LINDSAY GRECO, CAPISTRANO VALLEY

It hasn’t been easy for Lindsay Greco the past two seasons, as the favored Cougars fell short of winning the Division I Southern Section title everyone expected them to easily win. The high-scoring forward did her part, though, scoring 20 goals and adding nine assists, despite missing several weeks near the end of the season with a badly sprained ankle. She was named the South Coast League MVP, as well as being Southern Section first-team All-Division I and a first-team Times All-County pick. With the graduation of fellow forward Chandra King, the scoring load will fall heavily on Greco’s shoulders this year.

SOFTBALL

NATALIE KING, FOUNTAIN VALLEY

Attention will again be directed at Mater Dei and its pinpoint-accurate pitcher, Tia Bollinger, but Fountain Valley’s Natalie King had the kind of finish that makes her one to watch this season. King, a lanky right-hander, blossomed as a junior into one of the county’s preeminent strikeout pitchers (225 in 152 1/3 innings). She was 1-3 with a 1.60 earned-run average early in the year, but eventually pitched 74 consecutive innings without allowing a run, helping the Barons reach the Division I semifinals. Opponents batted just .108 against King, who was outdueled in the semifinals by eventual championship-winning pitcher Keira Goerl of Moreno Valley. Still, King finished with a flourish, going 12-5 with a 0.46 ERA.

BOYS’ SWIMMING

JUAN VELOZ, MISSION VIEJO

Juan Veloz had a good summer. He competed in some of the major swim meets in the nation and had some significant time drops. As he prepares himself for the Olympics, which he’ll be competing in for his native Mexico, Veloz will also be back this spring as a major force for the Diablos. Ranked 25th in the world in the 200-meter butterfly, Veloz should dominate that event this spring at the section finals. A Times Orange County second-team member in the 500 freestyle, where he finished second at the Division I finals, he was also on the Times Orange County first team as a member on the Diablos’ winning 200- and 400- yard freestyle relays at the section finals. He also took second in the 100 butterfly at the section finals.

GIRLS’ SWIMMING

KYOKO YOKOUCHI, MARINA

While most of the attention was on then-senior Jamie Cail last season as a favorite for Marina, it was Kyoko Yokouchi who proved to be the Vikings’ top performer, helping her team to a Sunset League championship. Exceptional in the backstroke, where she has senior national times in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, Yokouchi won the event at the Southern Section Division I finals last season in a time of 56.19 seconds. A Times Orange County first-team member in the backstroke, Yokouchi is also good in the butterfly.

BOYS’ TENNIS

JOSEPH KAO, SUNNY HILLS

Joseph Kao is in line to be the fourth Lancer in the last five years to play Division I college tennis, joining Kevin Kim (UCLA), Joseph Gilbert (Boise State) and Chris Chung (UC Irvine). Kao moved into the top 25 nationally with an outstanding summer in junior tennis. He reached the finals of the Southern California Junior Sectionals boys’ 16s and the quarterfinals of the national clay courts in Washington, D.C. After scoring a 1470 on his SAT and compiling a 4.6 GPA, Kao is applying to Ivy League schools and Stanford.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

MELISSA ESMERO, MATER DEI

As a junior, Melissa Esmero led the Monarchs to their first Southern Section girls’ tennis title, went 62-1 in dual matches, was named the Times Orange County Player of the Year and was the top-ranked player in Southern California in the girls’ 16 division. Over the summer, she committed to USC and reached the fourth round of the girls’ 18 national hard courts in San Jose. Esmero battled back from wrist injuries the last few months, but pronounced herself ready for the prep season.

GIRLS’ TRACK & FIELD

LIZ MORSE, CORONA DEL MAR

Liz Morse finished third in the state in the 800 meters in June, capping an incredible season of top performances for the Corona del Mar runner. Morse began her run by winning the 400 and 800 at the Orange County Championships, including a county-leading 56.93 in the 400 that culminated with a nasty spill at the finish line. Two hours later Morse came back to win the 800. Another impressive result was the top time in the 800 (2:13.29) at the Mt. San Antonio College Invitational.

BOYS’ VOLLEYBALL

JEFF WOOTTON, MARINA

Jeff Wootton has been a dominant force since his sophomore season and has helped the Vikings win consecutive Sunset League championships. The 6-2 outside hitter is one of the county’s most versatile players, already showing in his junior season that he could be an effective attacker even from the back row. He is also a fine passer and defensive player. Wootton is a two-time first-team Times All-County selection and also a two-time All-Sunset League pick.

BOYS’ WATER POLO

MICHAEL KIM, SERVITE

Michael Kim is not only an outstanding offensive two-meter player, but his defense is tenacious. While the county has plenty of good offensive players, Kim among them, it’s Kim’s “in your face” defense that sets him apart from the rest, making him an effective player at both ends of the pool. A 1998 Division II co-MVP, Kim was the leading scorer for Servite last year with 89 goals. He was instrumental in helping the Friars to their first section title since 1982.

GIRLS’ WATER POLO

KRISTYN PULVER, VILLA PARK

Century League opponents will be glad to see Kristyn Pulver finally graduate after this season. Pulver, one of the county’s top all-around players, has helped the Spartans win three consecutive league titles. Pulver is a three-time first-team Times All-County selection and also a three-time first-team All-Southern Section Division I selection. She was named the Century League’s MVP the past two seasons. Pulver is comfortable at two meters or on the perimeter offensively.

WRESTLING

MICHAEL SIMPSON, BRETHREN CHRISTIAN

Michael Simpson learned to keep his cool last year and it paid off in his first state wrestling title. It’s expected that The Times Orange County Wrestler of the Year will once again be in control of Orange County’s mats, where he’ll be attempting to win his fourth consecutive division title in addition to defending his Masters and state titles. Wrestling at 119 pounds last year, Simpson won 62 of his 64 matches. He’ll most likely be competing at the same weight class, possibly 125 pounds. In any event, it will be Simpson’s performance that will dictate Brethren Christian’s outcome. Last year, Simpson’s finish was a big reason why the Warriors finished fifth overall in Stockton.