Teams capture swim titles

Even time off and somewhat off times due to the spring break layoff couldn’t deter the Laguna Beach boys’ and girls’ swim teams from capturing Orange Coast League championships Wednesday.

Both squads won titles at the Costa Mesa High pool, the boys by virtue of a 120-49 win over the Mustangs and the girls by winning, 112-55.

The Breakers went undefeated (4-0) in league dual meet competition. The Laguna girls have won three-straight championships and the boys’ two-straight titles.

Laguna’s junior varsity teams made it a clean sweep of the day, the girls by blanking the Mustangs, 68-0 and the boys by an 85-11 score.

“This was our first meet after spring break and the break proved to take somewhat of a toll on our times,” Laguna Coach Kari Johnson said. “Although we competed well, I know we can swim much faster. I look forward to seeing more season best times next week at league prelims and finals.”

Johnson said that junior Samer Alkateb had a “great meet” and set two season-best times and new CIF consideration cuts in the boys’ varsity 200 free (1-minute 55.95 seconds) where he finished third, and in the 500 free (5:20.57) where he placed second.

Other top finishes for the varsity boys were turned in by Billy Wild who won both the 200 individual medley (2:07.09) and the 100 butterfly (54.98), Nolan McConnell who won the 100 free (51.73) and 100 backstroke (1:01.91), Erik Henrikson who touched first in the 50 free (23.95) and Spencer Dodson who won the 100 breaststroke (1:09.18).

For the Laguna varsity girls, Melena Masson won the 200 free (2:04.98) and 500 free (5:35.29), Yoshi Andersen took both the 200 individual medley (2:20.45) and 100 free (57.18), Lila Vera was a two-time winner by winning the 100 fly (1:01.00) and 100 back (1:02.04), Jenna Knott won the 100 breast (1:20.94), Taylor Capobianco was second in the 200 free (2:05.98) and Jessie Holechek was third in the 200 free (2:09.88).

The OCL prelims are Tuesday (May 3) at the Costa Mesa pool. The finals are Thursday (May 5).

CIF meets will be held May 10 through 14 and the CIF Masters meet on May 17 caps the 2011 season.

“Costa Mesa has been our biggest challenge in years past,” Johnson said. “Our goal as a team for league is to get more automatic CIF cuts and achieve season-best times.

“As a team, we look forward to swimming our fastest times at CIF and we hope to qualify more swimmers than last year.”

Breakers who have recorded automatic CIF cuts:

Girls

Lila Vera (100 fly, 100 back, 100 free)

Paige Watroba (100 fly)

Yoshi Andersen (50 free, 100 free, 200 IM, 100 fly)

Melena Masson (50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free)

Taylor Capobianco (50 free, 100 free, 200 free, 500 free)

Jessie Holechek (100 back, 100 free, 200 free)

Jessica Shusko (50 free, 100 free)

Lexie Del Toro (100 free, 200 free)

Boys

Nolan McConnell (100 free, 200 free, 100 back)

Spencer Dodson (200 free)

Samer Alkateb (200 free, 500 free)

Nicky Brunner (200 free)

Nile Koegel (50 free, 100 free)

Billy Wild (100 breast, 100 back, 200 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 500 free)

*

Boys’ Volleyball

Laguna, which hadn’t played since April 12, took on Godinez on Thursday (April 28) but the score wasn’t available at press time. Next week, the Breakers host Costa Mesa at 5:30 p.m. Monday and play a 5:30 p.m. game Wednesday at Saddleback to wrap up their league and regular season.

*

Boys’ Tennis

Laguna is hosting this year’s Orange Coast League tournament, which begins Wednesday and concludes Thursday. The CIF Individuals tournament starts May 9.

*

Track & Field

Laguna will participate in the Orange Coast League prelims Monday (May 2) at Estancia High. The league finals are Thursday (May 5).