Santa Margarita High School opened in the fall of 1987 welcoming 200 freshmen to its beautiful campus. Coach Zeitler arrived 1989 and has been the Head Coach since that time. His first team in February 1990 consisted of 26 athletes. This years’ team has 105 members. As you can see, the team has grown a lot since 1989.

With increased numbers came greater success. The Eagle Boys Track & Field team has won 6 league championships, 5 Serra League and 1 Sea View League. The 2001 team won the prestigious Orange County Championship. The Eagles have also finished in the runner up spot at Orange County on 3 other occasions – 1996, 2000 & 2002. When it really counts, at C.I.F. Finals, the Eagles have one third place, in 2000, three 2nd place finishes, 2001 - 2003 and a C.I.F. Championship in 1996.

Individuals from the team have also excelled. The track program has produced 10 individual C.I.F. Champions: Matt Blasdel in the 300IH in 1996 and Jimmy Martin in 2009, Pat Luke won 2 Pole Vault Championships in 1999 & 2000, Sean Zeitler won his C.I.F. Championship in the 300IH in 2001 and Jeff Jacobs won a C.I.F Championship in the 400m in 2002 & repeated in 2003. Andrew Prodoehl was C.I.F Pole Vault Champion in 2005 and most recently, Ryan Martin garnered the 800m championship last May.

Relays have also played a major part in the success. C.I.F. Championships have been won by the 1996 4 x 100m relay team, the 1998 4 x 400m relay team, the 2000 4 x 400m relay team and the 2001 4 x 400m relay team. Numerous individuals and relay teams have qualified for the Masters’ Meet, the State qualifying meet.

Individual athletes that have qualified for the California State Meet are: Pat Luke in the Pole Vault, Jeff Jacobs in the 400m, Brandon Clark in the 400m, Jim Lunnen in the High Jump, Matt Blasdel in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles, Andrew Prodoehl in the Pole Vault and Ryan Martin in the 800m.

The 4 x 100m relay team of 2002 also qualified for the State Meet. The 4 x 400m relay teams qualified for the State Meet for four consecutive years, from 2000 – 2003.

This year, the Eagle tradition continues.