Oaks Christian Fall Sports Preview

The wait is almost over. The distant roar of Lions is getting louder as Oaks Christian welcomes students back to campus. After claiming five Marmonte League championships last fall, the Lions look to repeat that success and set the tone for the rest Oaks Christian’s 25th anniversary school year.

Football

The Lions are looking to defend their Marmonte League crown when the 2024 season kicks off. The football team concluded the 2023 season with a 9-3 record going a perfect 5-0 against league opponents. The football team lost in the second round of the eventual CIF-SS Division 2 champions, Mission Viejo.

The Lions offense will be spearheaded by senior signal caller Axel Eason and Junior running back Deshonne Redeaux. Up front Oaks Christian sports an offensive line, led by senior Will Simic, that has all but one returning member allowing the Lions to run a “chameleon offense,” according to OCS head coach Charlie Collins.

The defense will be anchored by a defensive line starring Hayden Lowe, which Collins says is “one of the best groups I’ve ever had here at Oaks Christian.” Senior Christian Knoos and junior Davon Benjamin are leaders in the Lions secondary. Sophomore Alifeleti Tuihalamaka will be an impact defensive player.

Junior Davon Benjamin, is a star cornerback. However, Collins says he'll be an impact wide receiver for the Lions in the 2024 campaign. 

Girls’ Volleyball

Lions head coach Julie Bennett is leaning on experience to guide the 2024 edition of girls’ volleyball team. Manaia Ogbechie leads a group of seven returning seniors. The Lions middle blocker spent part of her summer in Honduras playing for USA Volleyball U19 squad. She won a gold medal and was named championship MVP.

Oaks Christian is coming off a 21-10 season including a 10-0 run to the Marmonte League championship. The Lions lost in the first round of CIF-SS Div. 1 playoffs to Palos Verdes.

Senior Maggie Rhew returns as setter while senior Hannah Brady will star as the libero. Sadie Kocur and Jady Mape are a pair of junior outside hitters who will be key to the Lions success.

Senior Kamryn Tifft, Junior Delilah Davis, and junior Mecinah Ogbechie are three strong contenders to start at opposite. “You’re lucky to have one good opposite, and I’ve got three,” Bennett said with a chuckle.

Bennett noted that Senior Brooke Gilmour is also poised to have a strong senior season after returning to campus much improved after her club season.

Boys’ Water Polo

Jack Kocur holds his program to a high standard. Success for the Lions is a final-four run in the open division. Last season, after a 23-8 regular season, the program fell in the first round of the playoffs. Kocur believes his team has the players to get deeper in the postseason.

Offensively, the trio of Max Burstein, Saul Biddle and Camden Kocur will lead the Lions. Jayden Winters and Kane Fogg will also be key contributors.

The Lions will call on sophomore goalie Ryder Bjork to organize the team’s defensive efforts. Kocur had high praises for his goalie, saying “We have long history of training the best goalies in the country and we’re very excited about where Rider is.”

Girls’ Golf

The Oaks Christian girls’ golf program has won the last four Marmonte League titles.

The dynamic duo of senior Sunny Wang and junior Alesia Barry are back to spearhead the Lady Lions search for a fifth straight Marmonte League crown. The pair shared Marmonte League player of the year honors last season. Sophomore Carolyn Rao will be a key contributor to the Lions success.

“I think we should be right there at the top of the league,” said OCS girls’ golf head coach John Geiberger. “I think the second round of the CIF playoffs as a team is a real possibility.”

Cross Country

The cross-country program finished its preparation for the 2024 competitive season with a tune-up week in Flagstaff, Arizona.

“It’s the distance running mecca of the country and get to train with some of the best around is so special,” said Cross Country Head Coach Wes Smith. “It’s also great for the team to forge some relationships with each other.”

The girls’ program won the Marmonte League last season and followed that up with a second-place finish in the CIF-SS and placed second in the state tournament. The program returns junior Delaney Napierala and senior Lizzie Walker.

The boys’ program brings back the foursome of seniors Cooper McNee, Christian Yoder, Josh Mitchell, and Ben Kroger. Last season, McNeese and Yoder ran the two fastest 3200 meter and 5000 meters in school history.

Girls’ Tennis

The Lions are hunting for their first Marmonte League title since 2018.

Returning a majority of the roster that went to the CIF-SS Division 3 semifinals, OCS Girls’ Tennis Coach Dr. Joel Pertulla is feeling good about his team’s chances in the ultra-competitive Marmonte League.

“I’m optimistic that we’ll be in the fight for a league title,” Pertulla said. “I expect us to go deep into the team playoffs.”

Sophomore Ellie Linn is back to anchor the Lions’ number one singles position. Junior’s Katherine Blackwood and Christina Vojtech round out the top three singles spots at Oaks Christian. Seniors Sophia Serrao, Brody Hamilton, and sophomores Hannah Huang, and Kaitlyn Mayer will be key players on the doubles roster.

Boys’ Beach Volleyball

The Lions descend on Will Rogers State Beach for their first Marmonte Beach League tournament on Aug. 17. Oaks Christian is returning the defending junior varsity league champs Christian Ipsen and Miles Lee. The pairing of Luke Maguire and Isaiah Wong finished second and the JV level last season and return for their senior seasons. Senior Malachi Green is returning for his fourth season. Cameron Judd, Curran Pendergraft, and Chase Jenkins will be key contributors for the Lions.

To keep up with Oaks Christian athletics, make sure to follow the teams on Instagram @OaksChristianLions and on X @OaksChrstnLions.