Athletics

It was an exciting year in Bishop Montgomery athletics. Our student-athletes were back on the fields and courts and memorable moments were created.

The 2020-21 school year was anything but normal, and that included the year in athletics. Because of the pandemic and the delay to the start of athletics the CIF Southern Section divided high school sports into two seasons, instead of the traditional three (fall, winter & spring) for the 2020-21 school year. The format created a unique scenario in which all sports started after February 1 and the sports put into the first season – cross country, football and girls’ volleyball – did not include any playoffs due to a CIF-mandated end date for these sports.

Despite the challenges of COVID testing and fitting 15 sports into “season two,” the 2020-21 athletic season included some exciting moments and even some BMHS history. Girls’ basketball captured their fourth Del Rey League title in a row and reached the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals. Lifetime memories were made in girls’ soccer when the team played league rival La Salle at the Rose Bowl on April 21. Although BMHS lost, the experience of playing at the Rose Bowl was something that few of the participants will ever forget. “We are thankful to La Salle and everyone involved in making this game happen for the girls,” said coach Brian Haynes ‘89. “Our girls played well and the experience of playing at such a famous venue created special memories for the girls. I am so happy for them to have this opportunity.” The excitement continued for the softball program as they qualified for the CIF-SS playoffs. Despite losing a thriller to Ontario Christian in the first round, the young team is ready for better things in 2022.

On the boys’ side, “season two” saw four programs win league titles (baseball, swimming, tennis & volleyball). Baseball captured the Camino Real League title on the final day of league play behind a dominating performance from Derek Murphy ’22 (pictured). The league Pitcher of the Year threw a complete game, 3-hitter as the Knights beat Mary Star 7-0. Tennis (13-2) reached the CIF-SS quarterfinals behind league singles champion Aidan Anastasi ’22 and doubles champions Marc DeCamillas ’23 and Lucas Robertson ’23. Volleyball (12-4) had an outstanding season under new head coach Josephine Kremer.

History was made in the pool as the boys’ & girls’ swimming teams, under head coach Amy Traxler, had impressive seasons. For the girls, seven league champions were crowned and six new school records fell (more below). On the boys’ side, Eric Zhou ‘24, Davide Ciuffoli ’23, Jack O’Shaughnessy ’24 & Patrick Melia ‘21 (pictured above l to r) won the school’s first CIF-SS swimming title in any event when they captured the 200 Medley Relay, breaking the school record in the process with a time of 1:45.17 (watch the full race below). O’Shaughnessy broke three other records during the season – 100 Butterfly (53.87), 100 Backstroke (54.84) and 200 Individual Medley (2:07.16).

Jakob Martinez ’24 was named 2nd Team All-Camino Real League in baseball. He is the grandson of former BMHS baseball coach, and Athletic Hall of Famer Ernie Martinez.

Above Left: Jakob Martinez ’24 and Grandfather Ernie Martinez / Above Right: Makena Nansen ’23

Makena Nansen ’23 broke six records in girls’ swimming in 2021 – 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 100 Butterfly, 100 Backstroke, 200 IM and 200 Medley Relay. She captured league titles in the 50 and 100 Free and the 200 Medley Relay and 200 Freestyle Relay.

(L to R): Brianna Davis ’22, Micaela Toland ’22, Makena Nansen ’23, Noelle Kondon ’22

Brianna Davis ’22, Micaela Toland ’22, Nansen and Noelle Kondon ’22 (l to r) had an impressive season for girls’ swimming. In the 200 Medley Relay, they finished 3rd at CIF-SS Finals and set a new school record with a time of 2:01.38.

Longtime boys’ basketball coach Doug Mitchell, right, is the new Athletic Director at BMHS, replacing Eric Wood, who moved to Utah. Mitchell will continue to serve as head coach of the boys’ basketball program, a position he has held since 1989-90.

Lisa Lewis ’79 and Coach Carlos Cooper will be inducted into the BMHS Athletic Hall of Fame on September 17 along with Mollie Meehan-Baumer ’86, Niu Sale ’88 and Alumni Parents/Supporters Bob Blackburn, Al Egnatuk, George Graham and Ganus Ramstead. Complete information at http://www.bmhs-la.org/hof/. 

Top (L to R): Carlos Cooper, Lisa Lewis ’79, Mollie Meehan-Baumer ’86 / Bottom: Niu Sale ’88

Twelve student-athletes in the Class of 2021 made commitments to compete at the collegiate level beginning this fall: Trent Goldman ’21 to Cypress College (basketball); Samara Guillory ’21 to Delaware State (tennis); Simone Jackson ’21 to USC (soccer); Carter Jacobus ’21 to UCSD (soccer); Kaylee Jones ’21 to Long Beach State (sand volleyball); Langston Metoyer ’21 to Lake Forest College (football); Drew Mitchell ’21 to LA Harbor College (basketball); Jordan Parrish ’21 to Hawaii-Hilo (soccer); Khylee Pepe ’21 to San Diego State (basketball); Amara Schaub ’21 to Emerson College (soccer); Nicco Schiappa ’21 (pictured) to Metropolitan State University, Denver (soccer); and TaKenya Stafford ’21 (pictured) to Eastern Illinois (volleyball).