CdM’s rookie coach ready

Steve Virgen

Nichole Thompson, the Corona del Mar High softball team’s first-year

coach, was a two-time All-CIF second baseman at Woodbridge, where she

helped lead the Warriors to back-to-back Division II section titles

in 1997 and ’98.

She went on to star at Arizona State University and earned a spot

on the U.S. national team. Now she’s trying to pass on her success

and winning attitude to the Sea Kings, who seem to be in need of

motivation with frequent coaching changes and two key players lost to

graduation last year.

Alissa Zoelle started the fall at Fresno State, but decided she

did not fit in and is no longer at the school. She is coaching

lower-level softball at Pacific Coast League rival Northwood. Amy

Tyson was a All-Newport-Mesa Dream Team performer last year along

with Zoelle.

Corona del Mar will also be without Meaghan Bunney, Melanie Cole

and Lauren Loe, who also graduated.

Thompson is the Sea Kings’ fourth coach in as many seasons. Yogi

Johnson replaced Terry Cristiano, who left the program after the 2001

season. Johnson resigned from her post during the 2002 season and Ed

Mejia took over as coach. Mejia and Racie Giffen worked as co-coach

for Corona del Mar last year, guiding the Sea Kings to a 10-11 record

and an appearance in a wild-card game of the CIF Southern Section

Division IV playoffs.

“This is my first year coaching,” said Thompson, who gave the Sea

Kings a long commitment. “I’m excited.”

Thompson has high expectations for her team, which is young. There

are just two seniors: team captains Jackie Manning and Sarah Stern.

The Sea Kings have six freshmen, featuring Michelle Tolfa and Holly

Van Hiel, who are right-handed pitchers expected to deliver key

contributions.

“We’re young,” Thompson said. “They are a good group of kids. I’m

shooting for [the Pacific Coast League title] and they want the same

thing. We’re going for CIF and making it further than what they did

last year. If our pitching holds up I think we have a great chance.”

Thompson will do her best to instill a concentration on the

fundamentals. She will also depend on Manning and Stern for

leadership. Manning, who played tennis in the fall, will be the Sea

Kings’ shortstop. Stern, who wrapped up her senior season in

basketball, will play catcher.

The Sea Kings also include returners Heather Lohrman, a junior who

has been improving while playing throughout the off-season, as well

as sophomore Andrea Dort and junior Lauren Gega.

Corona del Mar opened its season in the Costa Mesa tournament.