Honors: Cabico, always the ace

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Hard-working, quick and, oh yes, versatile, these were

some of the words, which described Costa Mesa High senior Nick Cabico.

The multifaceted athlete displayed his talent in every sport he played

in for the Mustangs. He seemed to find his niche on the mound for Coach

Kirk Bauermeister’s baseball squad, though Cabico also exposed a flair

when he found the open field in football.

Where ever he played, Cabico left every bit of himself on the field,

making a lasting impression. Cabico, who will play football and baseball

at Chapman University next year, has been named the Mustangs’ Boys

Athlete of the Year. The honor caps a prolific prep career for the former

Costa Mesa Little League standout whose potential was brimming.

In the 2001-02 academic year, Cabico began with using a variety of

moves to find his way to the end zone eight times, which was second on

Coach Dave Perkins’ football team. He earned second-team All-Pacific

Coast League laurels, as he amassed 698 rushing yards and 119 receiving

yards on eight receptions. He also earned a spot on the Newport-Mesa

All-District squad as a defensive back. He played cornerback and safety

and led the district in interceptions with six.

In the winter, Cabico took a rare break and prepared for baseball in

the spring, when he served as Bauermeister’s ace. He did not disappoint

the Mustangs, posting a 0.84 ERA, including three shutouts and 85

strikeouts in 75 innings. Cabico, who allowed 51 hits and 34 walks,

pitched in 14 games and compiled a 7-4 record and two saves. He was named

the PCL’s Pitcher of the Year, and will receive Newport-Mesa All-District

recognition.

Costa Mesa’s best pitcher also led the Mustangs in hitting with a .351

average (26 for 74). The 26 hits also led the team, and he led in stolen

bases, with 19. He pounded out six doubles and one triple, earned six

RBIs and had a .484 on-base percentage.

As a junior, Cabico made like Bo Jackson and competed in four sports,

football, basketball, baseball and track and field. He earned first-team

All-PCL and All-District honors in baseball. Despite a season marred by

injury, Cabico provided the Mustangs with a 3-1 record and one save. He

recorded 43 strikeouts in 45 innings and posted a 1.87 ERA. On offense,

he batted .370 (20 for 81) collecting 15 RBIs, 20 runs and 10 stolen

bases.

Cabico contributed character and 30 points in 19 games for Coach Bob

Serven’s basketball team in the winter. And, in the fall, he earned

second-team All-PCL laurels for his offensive skills on the football

field. He scored nine touchdowns, five rushing and four receiving, and he

tallied 531 yards on 54 carries, and 17 catches for 465 yards. Cabico

also scored a touchdown on a fumble return and gave the Mustangs the

advantage with three interceptions on defense.

As a sophomore, after a brief stint at Mater Dei High, Cabico made the

All-District squad for baseball, serving up 45 strikeouts in 41 2/3

innings. He posted a 2-6 record and a 3.02 ERA. He also batted .299 (26

for 87) to go with 13 RBIs, seven runs and nine stolen bases.

When Cabico was a freshman he was called up for the CIF Division VI

playoffs in football and had 29 yards on seven rushes for the Mustangs.

In basketball, he scored 39 points in 15 games, after being called up to

varsity after eight games.

Then, in baseball, Cabico found joy and renewed his passion for the

sport. The Mustangs, unseeded in the CIF Division IV playoffs, advanced

to the quarterfinals for the first time in 37 years. Cabico’s pitching

led to a first-round win over Duarte. He also contributed a 3-5 record

and two saves that went with 42 strikeouts in 54 innings.