Races shape up for spring

Races in four spring sports came to a conclusion this week with the completion of the Orange Coast League swimming, track and field, boys’ tennis and boys’ golf prelims and finals.

The final results for each of the finals weren’t available at press time.

The CIF-Southern Section postseason begins next week for all four sports.

In swimming

Laguna’s girls finished in a three-way tie for the top spot in the league standings by defeating visiting Costa Mesa, 90-78, handing the Mustangs their initial league setback in the final meet of the regular season.

The Breakers, Mustangs and Estancia finished league dual meet competition with 2-1 records.

Chelsea Wild won the 200 (1:56.04) and 500 (5:07.46) freestyles, Annika Dries the 50 free (25.36) in a race that saw teammates Natasha Schulmann place second (26.05) and Taylor Dodson third (26.12), Dodson was first (57.14) and Schulmann second (57.90) in the 100 free and the Breakers also won the 200 medley relay and 200 free relay.

In addition to her win in the 50 free, Dries placed second to Wild in the 500 free.

In the boys’ competition, Costa Mesa won every event en rout to a 109-53 victory over the Breakers.

In track and field

The Orange Coast League prelims were held Monday at Orange Coast College, and each Laguna athlete advanced to Thursday’s finals.

“I think that the boys in particular have lined themselves up for very good shot at being undefeated league champions,” Coach Dave Brobeck said. “This is the focal point for all of the varsity guys. We are working in our individual events to achieve a collective goal that hasn’t been met for decades in Laguna.

“Winning a track and field league championship is one of my final coaching goals that has yet to be met.”

In boys’ volleyball

Orange Coast League champion Laguna ran its league record to 8-0 Monday with a 25-9, 25-15, 25-14 sweep of visiting Estancia. The Breakers now have won 24 consecutive games in league play.

Blair Bigelow had 10 kills and four blocks, Lorenzo Torriero eight kills and four aces, Shawn Merz seven kills, Scottie Chapel six kills, Chris Reames 13 digs and Clay Knapp 32 assists.

Previously, Laguna was a 25-22, 25-14, 25-13 winner at Costa Mesa. Merz had nine kills and three aces, Seth Morris five kills and three aces, Bigelow eight kills and Knapp 35 assists.

Laguna, which wrapped up league play Wednesday at Calvary Chapel, hosts the school’s annual alumni match at 6:30 p.m. today at Dugger Gymnasium. A matchup between the Breakers’ junior varsity and frosh/soph teams precedes the varsity/alumni match at 5 p.m.