Laguna girls get valuable cross-country experience

The Laguna Beach High girls’ cross-country team made an overnight trip to Fresno last week but despite a a 16th-place finish at the Clovis Invitational, it was considered a success for the Breakers.

The varsity squad has been coping with illnesses and injuries over the past few weeks.

“Overall, the overnight trip was beneficial, with 10 of the girls being able to run on the State course for the first time,” Laguna Coach Earl Towner said. “As you can image, racing on a course can make a big difference, if or when we make it to the State meet in late November.”

The event was held at Woodward Park in Fresno, site of the upcoming State Meet on Nov. 25.

“Also, the time spent together on the long bus ride and at the race was a wonderful time for the girls to get to spend valuable time together bonding,” Towner said. “So, overall the trip was resourceful for team camaraderie and experience of running on the State championship course for course knowledge.”

Laguna runners ran in two races, the featured Championship Race — which was open to top-ranked teams from all divisions — and the Division IV race.

In the Championship Race, Alex Crawley was Laguna’s top finisher in 21st-place with a time of 19 minutes.

Laguna race ladder

(Name, race, placement, time): 1. Crawley, Championship, 21st, 19:00; 2. Lenker, Championship, 98th, 21:15; 3. Heath, Varsity, 79th, 22:14l 4. McCarter, Championship, 110th, 22:20; 5. Strickland, Championship, 111th, 22:22; 6. Brooks, Championship, 112th, 22:30; 7. Arnold, Varsity, 86th, 22:35; 8. Tucker, Varsity, 98th, 22:52; 9. Artman, Varsity, 101st, 23:00; 10. Silvers, Varsity, 109th, 23:17; 11. Robinson, Championship, 116th, 23:18; 12. Kenney, Varsity, 120th, 23:38; 13. Valaika, Varsity, 123rd, 23:42.

In girls’ volleyball:

Laguna moved its Orange Coast League record to 3-0 Tuesday by defeating visiting Estancia, 22-25, 25-17, 25-11, 25-9, at Dugger Gymnasium.

Despite the win, Breakers Coach Lance Stewart says there is plenty of room for improvement for his team, which is 13-3 overall.

“What we need to understand is that it’s not good enough to play well enough to win,” he said. “We know that we’re better than our league opponents, but we have to be more competitive in our practices, then come out with some polish and intensity come match time.”

The Breakers, who previously swept league foes Calvary Chapel and Costa Mesa last week, travel south today to play in the 24-team Torrey Pines Challenge.

The tournament has attracted several top-rated teams from Northern California and San Diego, as well as the CIF Southern Section.

Laguna is one of three county teams — Newport Harbor and Dana Hills are the other two — competing at the two-day event, Stewart said.

The Breakers are paired with host Torrey Pines and Bishop Montgomery in one pool. They will play round-robin pool matches today and need to win their pool in order to have a chance at the tournament title.

“I’d say that this tournament is even stronger than the Orange County tournament (Dave Mohs Tournament),” said Stewart, whose Breakers won the Division I title at that country tournament in September. “Matches will be three out of five, not two out of three. It’s going to be intense.”

In girls’ tennis:

Laguna continued its roll in recent action by defeating host Estancia, 13-5, Tuesday in Orange Coast League play.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Breakers, a streak that began with a win over University on Sept. 28, and third in as many league outings.

“I think the girls are playing a lot better,” Laguna assistant coach Jonee Earl said. “It’s been great to see them improve, and it’s nice to have Ali (Hunter) back.”

Hunter has been hampered by a knee injury and had been sidelined since the summer, Earl said. She returned to play in an Oct. 2 win over Edison and has been back with the team since.

Against Estancia, Alex Yates-Robinson earned a sweep at No. 2 singles for the Breakers.

Previously, Laguna had defeated Calvary Chapel, also by a score of 13-5. Madeline Jaeger swept at No. 1 singled and Lauren Thigpen/Heather Tran swept at No. 1 doubles.

CIF Southern Section weekly rankings:

Girls’ Volleyball

Division II-AA: 1. Corona del Mar; 2. Laguna Beach; 3. Troy; 4. Ayala; 5. St. Lucy’s; 6. Oxnard; 7. South Hills; 8. Norco; 9. St. Joseph’s/Lakewood; 10T. La Habra, Irvine.

Boys’ Water Polo

Division II: 1. Santa Barbara; 2. Servite; 3. Villa Park; 4. Ventura; 5. Laguna Beach; 6. Mission Viejo; 7. Poly/Riverside; 8. Santa Margarita; 9. San Clemente; 10. Mater Dei.

Girls’ Cross-Country

Division IV: 1. Maranatha; 2. Marlborough; 3. La Reina; 4. Paraclete; 5. Morro Bay; 6. Laguna Beach; 7. Westridge; 8. Louisville; 9. Big Bear; 10. Desert Christian.

Boys’ Cross-Country

Division IV: 1. Big Bear; 2. Laguna Beach; 3. Morro Bay; 4. Oaks Christian; 5. Maranatha; 6. St. Joseph’s/Santa Maria; 7. Harvard/Westlake; 8. Crespi; 9. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks; 10. Paraclete.