THE MAKING OF CHAMPIONS A Chat with Coach CHUCK Morales We recently caught up with Coach Morales to talk about the success of last year’s teams, his stand out moments and his thoughts on the upcoming seasons. How long have you been coaching at SM and where did you coach before that? I was appointed as the SMCHS girls soccer coach in June 1994 and prior to that, I was a club soccer coach. I have been coaching club soccer for over 30 years. I’m also entering my 10th season as the boys golf coach.
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anta Margarita sports teams had an outstanding 2011-2012 season with one regional championship, two CIF championships, and two state championships emerging from several programs. Both our athletes and coaches deserve a huge congratulation for their accomplishments. One coach in particular led both of his programs to championship wins. Coach Chuck Morales led the girls soccer team to their first ever CIF regional championship and the boys golf team to yet another CIF championship. With eight CIF championships during his SMCHS career, Coach Morales continues to find success with each new season of athletes. From two-time Olympic gold medalist Amy Rodriguez ’05 to U.S. Open Championship breakout star Beau Hossler ’13, Coach Morales has helped shape some of SM’s best athletes. A dedicated and respected coach of almost 20 years, Santa Margarita is extremely grateful to have him in the Eagle family.
How would you summarize your 20112012 athletic year, with the success of both the girls’ soccer team and the boys’ golf team? The girls’ soccer team was very energetic and technical this past season. We met and exceeded many challenges. We had many underclass players on the team and this coming 2012 season looks like it will be one of our best ever with so many returning veterans. Boys’ golf was also successful due to the efforts of two golfers, Beau Hossler and Andrew Levitt. They helped carve out a unique standing for our program that ultimately led to our capturing the CIF boys golf title this past season. What stands out to you the most about last school year, what will stay with say, 10 years down the road? Our girls’ soccer CIF semifinal against Aliso Niguel was a very physical game. Our girls endured lot of physical challenges and still managed to hold the opponent scoreless
going into penalty kicks. It was a bruising game for our girls. In golf, Beau Hossler came up huge all season. As evidenced by his scoring average, Beau would make shots when he needed them. He also had a great showing at the U.S. Open Championship, where he was the leader for a while. Finally, how do you approach next year to get your teams to emulate the success from last year? What are your hopes and goals for your programs for the upcoming season? The boys’ golf team and girls’ soccer team will have to work very hard to not become overconfident. We cannot rest on our laurels because other schools will be very willing to knock us off. As for the upcoming season, we have always had a long-term plan to establish legitimate programs in both golf and soccer and spotlight our student-athletes in the process. This will help us to be successful in every way and attract future Eagles as well.
Amy Rodriguez ’05 with Coach Morales at the alumni soccer game in December 2011.
FALL 2012
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