Runners sweep, finish at 1-2-3

A quick start and finish Wednesday against Calvary Chapel could propel the Laguna Beach boys’ cross-country team toward another Orange Coast League title.

The defending champion Breakers had little trouble with the visiting Eagles in the league opener, winning 19-42 (low score wins) on the Eric Hulst memorial course.

The Breakers, who ran without two of their top five performers, still managed a 1-2-3 finish as Yann Panassie (18.21), Casey Finnerty (18.21) and Blake Hofmeister (18.29) took the top three spots.

“They ran together most of the way and approached the race for what it was, a workout,” boys’ Coach Dave Brobeck said. “There is no need to blow the doors down here. We hope to run a very strong team race next Saturday (Oct. 13) at the OC Invitational.”

At the Yucaipa Invitational held Sept. 29, Laguna had just four varsity runners in the Division II race. Freshman Matt Neev ran a 16.35 on what Brobeck called a “slow course,” and finished 10th overall in the Division II varsity race.

Laguna’s girls also showed their winning form Wednesday and scored a 21-40 league-opening win over visiting Calvary Chapel. Maggie Newton-Neal (21:16) finished in second place, Michaela Fleming (22:09) was third, Melissa Lenker (23:14), Carly Savage (23:59) fifth and Madi Silvers (25:00) was seventh.

“Running cross-country in the Orange Coast League is not like it use to be in the Pacific Coast League,” girls’ Coach Earl Towner said. “Calvary Chapel and Costa Mesa’s cross-country teams are very small and don’t challenge our team in terms of depth and numbers. Our competition comes from running invitational in this part of the season.”

At the Yucaipa Invitational, the girls team finished in eighth-place. Laguna, a Division IV school, competed against varsity teams from both Division II and III.

On Saturday, Laguna’s girls will run two teams in separate races at the Clovis Invitational in Fresno.

Both the boys’ and girls’ teams return to league action Thursday (Oct. 11) with a home meet (3:15 p.m.) against Coast Mesa.

In girls’ volleyball:

Laguna won four of five matches last weekend at the Cougar Classic at Capistrano Valley High to earn a ninth-place finish among a 32-team field.

The Breakers, seeded first in their pool, won all three of their pool matches.

They defeated Ramona of San Diego (25-10, 25-8), Riverside Poly (25-14, 22-25, 15-13), Moorpark (25-18, 25-21) and Long Beach Millikan (27-25, 25-16).

They advanced to the gold bracket of the tournament where, seeded third, they were upended by No. 14-seed Peninsula, 25-21, 25-21.

Host Capo Valley, the No. 2 seed, defeated No. 4-seed Mission Viejo in the tournament final.

Laguna begins defense of its Orange Coast League title at 5:30 p.m. today at Calvary Chapel.

The Breakers will host Costa Mesa Tuesday (Oct. 9) (5:30 p.m.) in another league match.

In girls’ tennis:

In a tune-up before the start of Orange Coast League play, Laguna dropped a 13-5 nonleague match to visiting University.

In previous action, Laguna fell to visiting Edison, 12-6, in another nonleague match.

The Breakers’ No. 1 doubles team of Alison Azera and Sarah Russell swept by scores of 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 over the Chargers teams of Emily Davis/Jessica Brown, Jessica Supernaugh/Mackenna Waterhouse and Jamie Campbell/Carlie Boyer.

Laguna hosts league foes Costa Mesa Tuesday (Oct. 9) and Estancia (Oct. 11) on Thursday. Both matches begin at 3 p.m. Sandwiched between those two matches is a 3 p.m. nonleague match Wednesday (Oct. 10) against Sage Hill at Balboa Bay Club.

“I am expecting a very strong effort from our girls in league play,” Breakers Coach Jimmy Gleason said. “With our improved serves and scrappy play, I expect us to hold our own against any team in our league.”

In girls’ golf:

Laguna kept its Golden West League record perfect Wednesday by defeating visiting Costa Mesa, 268-294 at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course (par 37).

Karina Shaw was the match medalist with a 42 score.

Laguna improved its league mark to 6-0 and is 7-1 overall.

Costa Mesa is 2-4 in league and overall.

On Monday, Laguna was a 244-316 winner over visiting Westminster on the San Clemente course (par 37). Co-medalists for the match were Shaw and teammate Caitlyn Barretto both of whom shot a 48.

The Breakers next will tee up at 2 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 9) against league foe Orange at Riverview Golf Course in Santa Ana.

They also will play Ocean View at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 10) at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course.

CIF rankings:

Girls’ Volleyball

Division II-AA: 1. Laguna Beach; 2. Corona del Mar; 3. Bishop Montgomery; 4. Walnut; 5. Ayala; 6. University; 7. La Habra; 8. Irvine; 9. St. Lucy’s’ 10. Oxnard.

Boys’ Water Polo

Division II: 1. Villa Park; 2. Servite; 3. Mater Dei; 4. Ventura; 5. Riverside Poly; 6. Santa Barbara; 7. Mission Viejo; 8. Laguna Beach; 9. Dana Hills; 10. Dos Pueblos. Others: Capo Valley, JSerra, Santa Margarita, Brea Olinda.

Girls’ Cross-Country

Division IV: 1. Maranatha; 2. Oaks Christian; 3. JSerra; 4. Laguna Beach; 5. La Reina; 6. St. Joseph/Santa Maria; 7. Louisville; 8. La Salle; 9. Paraclete; 10. Morro Bay.

Boys’ Cross-Country

Division IV: 1. Big Bear; 2. Oaks Christian; 3. Maranatha; 4. Paraclete; 5. Morro Bay; 6. Laguna Beach; 7. Harvard/Westlake; 8. Nordhoff; 9. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks; 10. La Salle.