Makena Cook, the Orange County player of the year in 2024, has announced her move from Orange Lutheran High School to Sierra Canyon, marking a significant shift in the rising star’s high school career.
Cook, who led Orange Lutheran to the inaugural CIF‑SS Division 1 championship and earned first‑team All‑County honors as a junior, will now join a program that is preparing to field its first girls flag football team this fall.
A coach’s departure
The transition comes after the resignation of Kristen Sherman, the founding coach of Orange Lutheran’s girls flag football team, who stepped down to relocate with her husband to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Sherman’s exit follows a three‑year tenure in which she and Cook compiled a 66‑14 record and captured two Trinity League titles, a period that helped elevate the program to national prominence.
International exposure
Beyond high school, Cook is a member of the U.S. national 17‑and‑under women’s flag football team, a squad that has drawn attention for its competitive edge on the world stage.
Her commitment to the University of Georgia for soccer adds another layer of anticipation, as the Bulldogs will look to integrate a versatile athlete into their roster.
The convergence of Cook’s transfer, her national team involvement, and her collegiate pledge underscores a busy offseason for Orange Lutheran’s flag football program, which has seen two major changes in recent weeks.
Looking ahead
Sierra Canyon’s upcoming season will be closely watched as the new team integrates Cook into its lineup, while the broader landscape of high school flag football in California continues to expand.
Observers note that the moves reflect a growing emphasis on elite talent retention and the strategic use of transfer pathways to bolster program competitiveness.