Laguna Beach’s youth track event showcases city’s future stars

Laguna Beach held its annual youth track and field meet March 18 at Laguna Beach High School.

The meet attracted 130 boys and girls, the most in 10 years, city Recreation Supervisor Alexis Braun wrote in an email.

The city grouped participants by the year they were born Boys and girls, all Laguna Beach residents, competed in distance and sprint races, along with long jump and softball throw events.

Isabela Reichel won three events, claiming the top prize in the girls 100-, 200- and 400-meter races for contestants born in 2005, according to results provided by the city.

Baren Smith won the boys 100 meters and softball throw for contestants born in 2003.

Sophie Arkell won the girls long jump and girls 100 meters among participants born in 2004, and Finley Flanagan won the boys 100- and 200-meter races among participants born that same year.

Luke Singer earned first place in the boys 100 meters and long jump for contestants born in 2006.

Among participants born in 2007, Ruby Danner won the girls 50- and 200-meter races, while on the boys side, Troy Foster claimed first place in the boys 50 meters and softball throw.

Zachary Mentor won the boys 200- and 400-meters among contestants born in 2008.

Three participants born in 2009 won multiple events. Livi Lalim placed first in the girls 50- and 200-meter races, Finnegan O’Kane won the boys 100 meters and softball throw and Dan Wilson placed first in the boys 50 meters and long jump.

The top four finishers in each division advance to the Orange County Track Meet, to be held May 1 at Laguna Hills High.