Costa Mesa boys year-end wrap: Sudden Impact

COSTA MESA - The football team went about enforcing what is

becoming status quo, but the basketball team was all about breaking new

ground during the 1999-00 boys athletic year at Costa Mesa High.

Coach Jerry Howell’s squad made the football playoffs for a record fourth

straight time after claiming a co-championship in the Pacific Coast

League.

Junior tailback C.J. Zuniga (2,015 rushing yards and 28 TDs) was All-CIF

and the Newport-Mesa District Offensive Player of the Year, while junior

offensive guard Luther Mitchell was also All-CIF.

First-year coach Bob Serven and senior Ryan Naff (second-team All-CIF)

helped lead the basketball team to an unprecedented 17-4 start and its

first playoff berth since 1992.

The baseball team contended for a playoff spot until the final day of the

season and track and field finished third in league.

Senior Greg Stewart defended his PCL titles in the 100 and 200 meters and

was fourth in CIF in the latter, while Rami Ghebrekious (3,200) and Mike

Whittman (100-yard breaststroke) also earned PCL crowns.

Ryan Ferryman was an Orange County All-Star in football and also started

in basketball and volleyball, while several other individuals earned

accolades.

Jeff Montoya (golf), Dave Weir (football and basketball), Nate Jones

(basketball and volleyball), Jose Perez (soccer) and Robert Hulliger

(shot put and discus), all seniors, went out with a flourish.

-- by Barry Faulkner