Laguna boys looking to make early run

An excellent summer of training could prove to serve as a catalyst for big things ahead for the Laguna Beach High boys’ cross-country team.

The Breakers will be looking to add to their recent run of excellence, highlighted by winning a state championship nearly two years ago. Dave Brobeck, who will begin his eighth year as head coach of the Laguna boys’ program, is expecting big things from this year’s squad.

Expectations were high for 2005 too, but the shadow cast by winning a state title the previous year, coupled with nagging injuries that decimated the entire running corps, prevented the Breakers from reaching their true potential.

Still, their achievements toppled Brobeck’s expectations.

“Last year was very difficult for us,” he said. “After winning the state championship in 2004, we couldn’t seem to shake the weight of expectation during much of the season. Worse however, was a long line of injuries that slowed, or stopped altogether, several of our key players. In fact, at one point, just before our CIF season, each of my top seven runners had an injury.

“I felt the season was poised for a grand disaster. Still, we finished second in the Pacific Coast League, third at CIF finals and third at the state meet. The third-place finish at the state meet was totally unexpected given our poor health. To me, it was as good or better of a performance than winning it in 2004.”

Brobeck said he takes 10 varsity runners through CIF each year (seven racers and three alternates). Following is a list of Laguna’s key returners this fall, varsity hopefuls and a few thoughts about each from Brobeck.

Jeremy Eaton, senior: “When healthy, a dominating runner (at any distance). Could be a top runner in the county and state this year. More raw talent than any athlete I have coached before. Would have been our No. 1 runner last year had a knee injury not sidelined him.”

Andrew Raub, senior: “Last year’s No. 3 runner at state. Team leader. Should run close to Jeremy. Incredible capacity for work. The guy you want your daughter to date.”

Yann Panassie, junior: “Last year’s No. 5 runner. Has made big improvements in just one year of running. Could be our No. 3 runner.”

Corey Hedden, senior: “Last year’s No. 6 runner. A three-year varsity athlete. Always runs his best when it counts the most.”

Matt Ross, senior: “Should contend closely with a group of others for one of the final varsity slots. Has all the tools to help the team significantly this year.”

Peter Hastings, junior: “Varsity alternate last year; frosh/soph 1,600 league champ in track. Shows both the ability and confidence to be a top-five runner this year.”

Casey Finnerty, sophomore: “Varsity alternate last year. The team workhorse. Great attitude and demeanor. Future ultra-marathoner. Could make a big impact this year.”

Michael Brown, senior; and Ryan McCarter, senior: “Two runners that everyone knows would be in the top five the last two years had it not been for injuries and just plain bad luck. Both have the ability to run in the front pack when healthy .”

Richard Mattingley, freshman: “Has a very good shot of cracking the top seven this year. Richard is a runner that we have seen coming up for several years now. He has a good amount of racing experience for his age, a great amount of natural ability, and a real toughness and competitiveness to him. Without question, he will be a big part of our future. This year’s incoming freshman class is very deep and gifted. Richard should lead a group of frosh boys that may win wherever they race.”

Laguna enters the season healthy and fit, Brobeck said.

“Injuries occur in this sport much more often than most people might think,” said Brobeck, who noted that all of his runners are healthy entering the 2006 race season. “Managing each individual and their history of injury is an art in coaching this sport. In order to perform at the highest level as a team each year, there are a great number of miles and intensity that must be met. The varsity guys listed above each have different training objectives and plans to increase their chances of being injury free this year.”

Although the race season has not yet begun — Laguna opens its season Sept. 9 at the Laguna Hills Invitational — Brobeck feels the Breakers will be highly-rated in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV rankings and state Division IV poll.

“We likely will be ranked second in state, and Big Bear should be No. 1,” Brobeck said. “We graduated two great seniors in Max Mullender, now running at UC San Diego, and Aman Bhatia, now running at UCI, but should have no problem reloading — 65-plus boys on the team this year — with the crew I have coming back. I will probably not race my top seven together until CIF time. Thanksgiving weekend at the state meet is really the only race we point to now. We have a long way to go until that time, with many injuries to avoid, and training objectives to be met.

“There is a very good feeling to this team, though. Everyone gets along and no one is an egomaniac. Most important, they are driven, have a fun time each day, and know how to win. I have a lot of old souls on this team.”

Winning a state championship, as the 2004 team did, set the tone for the program. Brobeck and the Breakers have set their expectations high, but this year they’ll be competing in a new league — the Orange Coast League. Gone are the days of running in the Pacific Coast League against rivals like Corona del Mar and Northwood.

“The bar has been set high, and it should be,” Brobeck said. “I expect to contend for a state championship every year now. We’ve done years of work to get ourselves to this point and this is just our time. I really believe this. There’s a confidence involved and a knowing that we can now control most outcomes in races. We understand how to manipulate all the minutia in training for success while fostering a positive and fun team environment at the same time.

” I’ll tell you, making distance running fun is no small task, but I think we pull it off very well and in the process we discover some unbelievable kids and athletes.

“Joining the Orange Coast League is disappointing to me. I really enjoyed being the small fish in a big league and over-achieving in it. Now we move into a four-school league of small schools: us, Estancia, Calvary Chapel and Costa Mesa. It wouldn’t surprise me if 90% of the teams at Laguna Beach High win league this year. It may lend a false sense of greatness to a lot of programs.

“We will be running more invitational races this year to stay sharp for the CIF season.”