Prepared and confident

Steve Virgen

Last year was known as a breakthrough for the Corona del Mar High

boys soccer team, so there is little wonder why expectations are so

high for the Sea Kings’ 2003-04 season.

The expectations don’t just come from the coach, but from the

players, as well. Coach Pat Callaghan says his players gained

confidence through last season and now they are ready to take the

next step.

“There is a lot expected from us,” Callaghan said. “That comes

with living with success and now we have to see what we do with it.”

The Sea Kings won a share of the Pacific Coast League title with

Northwood last year. They return most of the players from that team

that went 16-6-2, and the Sea Kings are anxious to return to the CIF

Southern Section Division II playoffs.

“They learned how to win [last year] and they learned about

success,” Callaghan said. “They learned how to fight and not to give

up. They also learned how difficult it is to win championships. We

tied for the [PCL] title and we were feeling good about ourselves. We

learned that every step, preseason, postseason, you have to improve

because the teams you play are very experienced.”

The Sea Kings possess plenty of experience this season. They have

14 seniors most of whom have been coached by Callaghan, who is also

in his fourth year with the program. They, along with Callaghan, want

to return to the CIF playoffs because of their short exit last year.

CdM lost in the first round, 2-0, to visiting El Dorado.

“I thought we deserved better,” Callaghan said. “It’s hard to say

we deserved to win, but I felt our team was good enough to get far in

the playoffs. I’m sure we’ll be ready next time we get that

opportunity. If we do.”

Callaghan is confident the Sea Kings will be ready for the

playoffs because of their schedule and because of their experience,

which includes senior forwards Chris Ringstrom and Danny Whitaker.

Ringstrom has great speed, while Whitaker is crafty and is a

powerful player, Callaghan said. The Sea Kings will also be led by

their team captain Julien Cerutti, the squad’s senior midfielder.

Cerutti is an exciting ball handler who is also a dangerous threat

to score.

“He’s our playmaker,” Callaghan said. “He has phenomenal ball

skills. He’s very quick and reads the game very well. He’s the type

of dangerous player that can change the game because he can beat one,

two, three guys off the dribble and score a goal.”

In addition to Cerutti, the Sea Kings also feature senior Jeritt

Thayer, a midfielder, and junior Shane Collins, a defender. Both

earned second-team All-PCL honors, as did Ringstrom, who scored the

game-winning goal in the victory over Northwood.

Ringstrom’s goal, scored with less than a minute remaining,

ensured CdM a share of the title.

This year Callaghan expects the Timberwolves to contend for the

PCL title again, along with Tesoro.

“It should be fun,” Callaghan said. “We have a lot of work to do

and I think the guys understand that.”

Junior Grant Almquist, a midfielder, is also a key returner, along

with senior goalkeeper Jay Zimmerman. Senior Michael Benabou is a

forward who adds depth, balance and intrigue. He spent the past 10

years in Israel.

Junior Austin Brawner, who played football along with Collins, as

well as seniors Parker Ferguson and Cory Azzlino figure to be key

contributors, as well.