February 18, 2006

The spring sports season is nearing its completion, and the Corona del Sol Aztecs are poised to bring several state championship banners home to Sammy Duane gymnasium.

Girls Varsity Soccer brought home the state championship in what was an all-Central Region affair as Corona went up against Mountain Pointe. The two schools split their regular season meetings against each other and were extremely evenly matched. Sophomore Brittany Cole provided the Aztecs with a much needed boost in overtime with a crucial goal.  Another followed soon after to clinch the win for the Aztecs.

“Everyone was just running,” Smeltzer said. “It didn’t hit us at all. We did this, we finally did it.”

Varsity Boy’s Basketball finished its regular season strong by defeating rival Marcos de Niza 83-62. This win gives the Aztecs a 24-1 record and dependent on them winning next weeks Central Region tournament, a good chance at being the number one ranked team in state. Although the Padres won only a single game in region, they gave Corona their best shot and were only down by five points entering the fourth quarter. Despite the loss of senior power forward Mychael Broom to graduation, next year’s squad will be far more competitive with an extra year of seasoning for many of the younger players on the team.

Aztec Wrestlers brought home two titles for individual classes at the state championship. Robert Holbrook, won the 215-pound class along with Luke Macchiaroli at 189. Corey Hale was the only returning champ to lose, as Conor Stockton of Mountain View defeated him in the 171-pound division. It is an ironic ending to an otherwise great career for Hale, as he defeated Stockton’s older brother last year for the title.

Seniors Mitchel Hunt and Matt Mosely made their decisions this past week where they will continue their football careers after graduating from Corona del Sol High School.

Mosely made the surprise decision to attend the University of Washington after a strong push from head coach Tyrone Willingham. He will compete for playing time at wide receiver.

Hunt had previously committed to Oregon State University and stayed true to his word.

“The reason I chose Oregon State was because of the coaching staff,” Hunt said. “They really treat you as a human being, like a regular person instead of a piece of meat.”

Hunt attended camps at Nebraska, Rice, two at Texas A&M, University of Utah, and Oregon State.

“By attending summer football camps I was able to meet different coaches and learn about their programs,” Hunt said. “Just from attending them I was able to learn what type of coaching staff I wanted to play for.”

Oregon State displayed to him all the attributes he was looking for in a college.

“They had a real tight knit program,” Hunt said. “OSU was my last camp and I knew right then that I wanted to be part of their program.”

At six feet and three and a half inches tall, and weighing 265 pounds, Hunt was a coveted recruit at the defensive tackle position. His speed, including a 4.9 second 40 yard time, was one of the many attributes that led him to play a key role for the Aztecs.

“My coaches gave me the opportunity to start on varsity as a sophomore,” Hunt said. “That allowed me to mature into a better football player.”

Hunt plans on majoring in business and minor in Spanish next year.  He also has ambitious plans for his college football career.

“I want to be an All-Pac 10 defensive lineman and be an All-American by my senior year in college,” Hunt said.

Hunt’s passion for football was shown during his senior year. During the opening game of the season he suffered a stress fracture in his leg. He played another complete game on it before finding out it was injured. Despite a disappointing end to his high school season, Hunt is excited for the rest of his football career.

“It was extremely exciting to sign the papers and realize what I have to look forward to in the future.” Hunt said.