Rea reclaims title

While one school returned to its reign, another captured a triple crown of sorts Sunday at the eighth annual Daily Pilot Cup.

The boys’ fifth- and sixth-grade team of Rea Elementary reclaimed the Gold Division title, taking back the championship it had owned from 2001 to 2005. The Sharks lost in the semifinals last year, but they wouldn’t be denied as they earned a dramatic 2-1 victory over defending champion Mariners Christian at the Costa Mesa Farm Complex.

In the three other divisions, it was a day for the Dolphins, as in the Andersen Dolphins. They won the Gold Division championship in the girls’ fifth-and sixth-level, as well as boys’ and girls’ third and fourth grade.

The Andersen girls’ third- and fourth-grade squad became the first team in the Pilot Cup to win six straight titles, trumping the five straight from the Rea boys fifth- and sixth-grade team.

The championships put a cap on a six-day tournament that included 30 elementary schools and a Pilot-Cup record of 148 teams.

For complete coverage and more photos, turn to Page A9.

— Steve Virgen