Breakers to go big again

The Laguna Beach High girls’ cross-country program has been one of the top programs in CIF Southern Section Division 4 throughout the years, and the 2016 Breakers are looking to add to the history of that success.

The Breakers have five starting runners back from a 2015 team that was just shy of reaching the CIF State Championships in Fresno. Last year, they went undefeated in winning the Orange Coast League championship, advanced through the CIF-SS Division 4 prelims in Carpinteria, and earned a spot in the Southern Section finals. They finished in eighth place at CIF finals and just missed, by one spot, making their way to the CIF State Cross-Country Championships.

Steve Lalim, who begins his ninth year as head coach and 13th, overall, with the program, says his team is ready to run. This year’s team roster includes All-Orange Coast League performers Grace LaMontagne, Molly Cohn and Ana Kelly. LaMontagne is the reigning girls’ league champion.

The Breakers begin their season Sept. 3 at the Great Cow Run and the Higashi Roman Memorial Run at Cerritos Regional Park in Cerritos.

“The girls team is looking to have a strong season,” he said. “The girls have had a great summer of training, and appear ready to compete at a high level.”

Laguna Girls’ Cross-Country

League: Orange Coast

CIF Division: 4

Head Coach: Steve Lalim (9th year)

Coaching Staff: Fred Pichay; Mark Harris.

2015 Finish: League champion; 8th-place CIF Division 4 finals.

Returning starters: 5

2016 Varsity: *Grace LaMontagne, Jr.; *Ana Kelly, Sr.; *Molly Cohn, Soph.; Charlie Hoffs, Jr.; Evie Cant, Jr.; *Hannah Konkel, Soph.; Alden Kramer, Jr.; Emily Engel, Soph.; *Sabrina Flagstad, Sr.; Mara Eftimie, Jr.; Bella Fonk, Soph.; Callista Helms, Sr. (*denotes returning starter).

Returning with Honors: Grace LaMontagne (league champion); Molly Cohn (all-league); Ana Kelly (all-league).

Keys to Success: “We need to continue to work hard, stay motivated and remain healthy,” Lalim said.

The Schedule: Lalim called the Sundodger Invitational at the University of Washington, Clovis Invitational on the CIF State Championships course at Woodward Park in Fresno, and the Mount San Antonio Invitational, “focus meets” for the Breakers.

“Meets where we will be able to compete against high quality teams,” he said. “It will be a good opportunity to see where we are.”

Season Opener: at Great Cow Run, Sept. 3

Girls’ Cross-Country Schedule

Sept. 3: Great Cow Run (Cerritos Regional Park)

Sept. 17: Sundodger Invitational (University of Washington)

Sept. 17: Woodbridge Invitational

Sept. 28: Orange Coast League Cluster (Irvine Regional Park)

Oct. 10: Clovis Invitational (Woodward Park, Fresno)

Oct. 16: Orange County Championships (Irvine Regional Park)

Oct. 23: Mt. SAC Invitational

Nov. 5: Orange Coast League Finals (Irvine Regional Park)

Nov. 12: CIF-SS Division 4 Prelims

Nov. 19: CIF-SS Finals (Mt. SAC)

Nov 26: CIF State Championships (Woodward Park, Fresno)