Breakers ready for Irvine Invitational

The boys’ and girls’ track and field teams at Laguna Beach High will enter their first major invitational of the 2014 season this weekend when they compete at the two-day, 35th Irvine/Asics Invitational Track Meet at Irvine High.

The Friday schedule begins at 3 p.m., and the final day’s action Saturday starts at 8 a.m.

Both Laguna teams opened their respective seasons March 6 in Placentia, and both teams turned in strong performances against host El Dorado in nonleague meet action.

No score was kept in either varsity competition.

For the Laguna boys, Nathan Lancaster won the 100 and 400 races, and shotput, Cameron Zuziak won the 1,600 meters, Kyler Pike won the high jump, and Michael Santana won the triple jump.

Both Laguna teams start their Orange Coast League seasons this Thursday at Saddleback. They will compete in a league three-way against Costa Mesa and the host Roadrunners.

Laguna will host its annual Trophy Invitational starting at 8:41 a.m. March 22.

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Laguna Beach Girls’ Track and Field

Head coach: Steve Lalim (seventh year)

Coaching staff: Debbie Chop; Mark Harris; Fred Pichay; Lance Peterson; Julie Malley.

2013 season recap: The Breakers went undefeated in winning the Orange Coast League championship. Several team members qualified for the CIF Southern Section finals.

“We had a great season,” Lalim said. “We were a very young team, only having one senior on the team last season. The girls performed at a high level. We expect the same this year.”

Returning Breakers: Tessa Hopper (sprints); Amy Hewlett (sprints); Coco Putnam (hurdles); Rose Niejermier (sprints); Marlee Grosher (jumps); Carlee Ressler (jumps); Paige Vitolo (jumps/sprints); Monica White (jumps/hurdles); Janie Crawford (distance); Livie Clark (distance); Brenna Merchant (distance); Natalie Kimball (distance); Brielle Budroe (distance).

2013 all-league honors: Janie Crawford; Brielle Budroe; Brenna Merchant; Pearl Shoemaker; Natalie Kimball; Tessa Hopper; Amy Hewlett; Coco Putnam; Rose Niejermier; Monica White.

Program record holders: Coco Putnam (300 hurdles); Janie Crawford (triple jump).

Newcomers: Kirsten Landsiedel (distance); Taylor Alvarez (distance); Lauryn Alvarez (distance); Greer Jacobs (distance); Pearl Shoemaker (distance); Bailey Shoemaker (distance).

Coach’s take: “Young, competitive, driven, hard working, dedicated,” Lalim said of his team. “A great group of kids, ready to have a great season.”

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The Schedule

Friday-Saturday: At Irvine/Asics Invitational

Thursday: League 3-way at *Saddleback, 3 p.m.

March 22: Trophy Invitational, 8:41 a.m.

April 3: League 3-way at *Laguna, 3 p.m.

April 4-5: at Trabuco Hills Invitational, TBA

April 11-12: at Arcadia Invitational, TBA

April 24: *Godinez, 3 p.m.

April 26: at Orange County Championships, TBA

May 5: Orange Coast League prelims, 2 p.m.

(at Laguna Beach High)

May 8: Orange Coast League finals, 3 p.m.

(at Laguna Beach High)

May 17: CIF-SS Prelims, TBA

(at Carpinteria High)

— Mike Sciacca