Greatest stories of 2021 (4-6)

Saddleback athletics celebrated one of the more entertaining years in history in 2021, with a number of programs reaching all-time highs and records being broken in many sports.  This is the list of the Top-10 stories in Saddleback athletics for 2021.

6.  Football open Crabb era and stadium with a win

For the first time in 23 years Saddleback football had a new head football coach in Kerry Crabb.  The Bobcats celebrated on opening night in the new stadium with a 58-12 win against Glendale College, making Crabb just the second coach in program history to win his opening game.  The 58 points scored was the most scored on opening night since 2004 (LA Harbor) as the Bobcats rolled up 544 yards of offense.  Saddleback scored on the first offensive play of the game when Andrew Wimmer raced 73 yards, setting the stage for a tremendous start to the season.

5.  Men's swim & dive wins first conference title in 37 years

The Saddleback men's swim and dive team captured the Orange Empire Conference championship in mid-May at Orange Coast College.  It was the first time the program had won a conference title since 1984, when it competed in the Mission Conference.  Saddleback stormed past perennial powers Golden West College and Orange Coast College to win by 87 points.  The Bobcats had nine swimmers with 20-or-more points, led by Carson Williams (46) and Roland Mantecon (45). 

4.  Women's soccer reaches new heights

The women's soccer team had the greatest season in program history when it captured its first Orange Empire Conference (OEC) championship and made a first-ever appearance in the regional finals.  The Bobcats finished 19-2-2 overall and were the No. 2 seed in Southern California for the regional playoffs.  Saddleback recorded more wins (19), shutouts (19) and goals (78) than any other team in program history as forward Maliyah Medley was named the OEC Most Valuable Player.  Saddleback opened the season with a record 14 straight shutouts and outscored opponents 78-7 for the season. 

TOP-10 STORIES OF 2021