For the third time in four years, Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) has been awarded the prestigious State School of the Year honor by Cal-Hi Sports (calhisports.com), covering the 2025-26 school year.
The award annually recognizes the top overall prep athletic program in California. The honor is based upon overall excellence across multiple sports. Most recently, the Eagles garnered the crown for the 2022-23 and 2024-25 school years, in addition to their first in the 1997-98 school year.
“I am super excited and proud for our school to achieve this award once again,” said Santa Margarita Vice President of Athletics Jim Hartigan. “The accomplishment is a testament to our all our coaches, administrators, support staff and parents. Our programs were consistent across all three sports seasons — fall, winter and spring — although it was never a forgone conclusion that we would capture the prize once again.”
The standout year in athletic excellence included:
3 CIF State Championships
• Girls Golf
• Football
• Boys Swimming & Diving
1 CIF SoCal Regional Championship
• Girls Golf
6 CIF Southern Section Championships
• Boys Swimming & Diving
• Girls Swimming & Diving
• Football
• Girls Soccer
• Girls Volleyball
• Girls Golf
11 Trinity League Titles
• Boys Water Polo
• Football
• Girls Golf
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Soccer
• Boys Lacrosse
• Girls Lacrosse
• Boys Volleyball
• Boys Swimming & Diving
• Girls Swimming & Diving
• Boys Golf
4 CIF Southern Section Individual State Champions
• Boys Swimming (2)
• Girls Swimming
• Girls Cross Country
More than 75 Collegiate Student-Athletes -- Class of 2026
CIF Southern Section Commissioners Cup Champion -- Girls Athletics
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