Next step, CIF championships

The Laguna Beach High boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams have qualified for Saturday’s CIF-Southern Section Division IV finals races at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut.

Both teams qualified through the CIF prelims meet held last Saturday, also at Mount SAC.

BOYS

The third-ranked Breakers won their 14-team Division IV prelims heat last Saturday to qualify for Saturday’s finals.

Jeremy Eaton (16:13), Andrew Raub (16:32) and Yann Panassie (16:34) took places fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

“It was an encouraging performance namely because we ran in control of ourselves in our training shoes just looking to advance to the next round ,” Laguna Coach Dave Brobeck said. “I expected and sort of hoped that we would finish second in our heat. Second-ranked Morro Bay was expected to win. It was a surprise to be in front of them in a race we weren’t really racing.

“I chose to rest three solid-scoring runners for us, Michael Brown, Peter Hastings and Richard Mattingley. The next two weeks we will quit being patient and tactical in our approaches and just go for it. I think we are in a very good place now.”

GIRLS

Coach Earl Towner said the girls raced to form en route to earn another spot in the CIF finals.

“The team followed the race plan well and qualified for finals by running within themselves,” Towner said.

“This is the tough part of the season and trying to race hard each week does not bode well for fast race times. We got the job done and will be well tapered for Saturday’s race, the crux of the season.

“Alex (Crawley) ran smart and held back, saving herself for the big one at finals. It wouldn’t surprise me if she takes the championship. Melissa Lenker ran 57 seconds faster and is primed to go sub-20 at finals.

Kativa Strickland continues to improve and run strong with over a minute improvement and Cassidy Robinson is really healthy now and able to show us what she’s capable of with over a three-minute improvement.”

The top seven teams from Saturday’s 13-team finals field will advance to the Nov. 25 state meet in Fresno, Towner said.

“Our girls are determined to make it to state and I have the confidence that they will,” Towner said of his Breakers, ranked sixth in Division IV.

Laguna will race at 8:25 a.m. Saturday.