La Jolla Country Day’s 2025-2026 Winter Athletics Season is finally underway! Basketball and Soccer will be taking center stage, accompanied by Ice Hockey, Surfing, Dance team, Fencing, Rock Climbing, and Equestrian.
The Women’s Basketball team is coming off of a successful 2024-2025 season, with Coach Terri Bamford returning for her 29th year with the program. Coach Bamford is the all-time wins leader in San Diego, with 727 wins and counting. The Women’s team finished with a 17-12 record last year, 2nd place in the Coastal League. However, they fell to a strong Brentwood School team in the first round of the Division I Championship. The Women’s team is looking to regain dominance in the league and bring in another championship trophy. The Women’s team recently beat Mission Hills and Torrey Pines, on the newly anointed Terry Bamford Basketball court!. On the Men’s Basketball team, Coach Casey looks to take the Torreys up on the San Diego rankings following the graduation of many key senior players. They finished with a 17-14 record last year, 3rd place in the Coastal League. The Torreys were defeated by a powerful Westchester team in the first round of the Division II Championship. In a statement from shooting guard Iris Matanza about the current season, he shared, “I’m really looking forward to playing Bishop’s and Parker this season, and I’m excited for the chance to send our senior, Wyatt Tilson, off with a bang. It’s going to be a great season of basketball.” The Torreys most recently played against Rancho Bernardo, falling to them 42-66,
The Women’s Soccer team has a new head coach, Tim Bleakley, who has taken over to lead the team to success. Last year, the Women’s team finished with a 3-10-3 record, 6th in the Coastal League. The Torreys were defeated by Mira Mesa in the first round of the Division III Championship. Despite last season’s disappointing end, Coach Bleakley and the squad will work harder than ever. I had the opportunity to speak with defender Talia Mackin about what she is most looking forward to this season, and she shared, “Getting to know the new players on the team and doing team bonding activities off the field. I am also looking forward to playing in our first league game as a team!” Talia is very excited for the big turnout this year, and wants to see both rookies and veterans succeed. The Men’s Soccer team, led by Coach Prychun, aims to reestablish dominance in San Diego, with one of their most exciting squads in recent years. The Men’s Team finished with a 7-11-2 record last year, 3rd place in the Coastal League. Their season ended in a heartbreaking penalty shootout against University City. I reached out to forward Jack DeJarnette on what this season holds and he commented, “I am most excited to win Coastal.” The last time the Torreys won the Coastal League was two years ago, and Jack and the team are ready to take back dominance. The Torreys kicked off the year with two preseason scrimmages at home, defeating neighbors Preuss 3-0 and La Jolla High, in the La Jolla Derby, 5-0. The Men’s Soccer season is looking very promising, but they will make sure to not take these wins for granted and keep working hard.
The La Jolla Country Day Ice Hockey team will be at the rink this season with Coach Dan Wagner leading the way, playing at the UTC Ice Sports Center. I reached out to center Brooks Schwager, who has been with the team for three years. Brooks shared, “I am most excited for our upcoming trip with the team to Las Vegas.” The team will be travelling to the fabulous city for some action in new ice and a different state.
The Surf team will also be active this season, with Coach Uyeda returning for another year of glory. Coach Lee has retired after more than a decade but leaves the team in a good place. I had the chance to ask Captain of the team Calla Taylor about this season, and she said, “The surf team is looking forward to an exciting season with a ton of new recruits. We have been planning fun team practices and are looking forward to an involved year.” The Torreys practice at Scripps Beach, with meets at Ocean Beach, Army Navy, and others.
Fencing will also be active, with Oscar Arnold taking over the head coach position. Co-Captain of the team Calder Baker-Hefley said, “Our team is always made up of some really talented, really experienced fencers and this year is no different. Iain and I are really excited to mentor all the younger folks and make sure that there’s a solid team when we’re gone. Also we can’t wait to crush Cathedral Catholic.” Captains Calder and Iain Halloran aim to work together, along with the rookies, to have many victories this season.
The Dance Team will continue performing this Winter, now at Basketball games, led by Coach Hannah Kehmna. Mia Riguero commented, “This winter season, I’m most excited to showcase all of the new dances we’ve been practicing and grow closer with my team.” I also reached out to Mia Stevens, who added, “I’m looking forward to new dances with a different kind of style for basketball season and getting to keep growing as dancers and as a team. I’m also excited for our performance with the Tiny Torrey dancers.”
