Ready for another big run

The girls know what they want.

The boys know where they’ve been, and want to go there again.

Both have the same destination in mind.

But first, they need to take baby steps; no, make that, small but quick strides.

The 2007 girls’ and boys’ cross-country season at Laguna Beach High begins with a Sept. 8 run at the Laguna Hills Invitational. For both squads, the goals are multi-faceted but the primary one for each is the same: make an impact at the CIF State meet in Fresno in late-November.

A look at both Laguna teams:

Girls

Coach Earl Towner begins his 17th year leading the program and calls this year’s team one of his most complete.

Early morning “” 8 a.m. “” workouts began in mid-July and Towner had what he called a “consistent turnout,” for practice sessions on those summer days when most youth would opt to go to the beach.

“This is one of the deepest and most talented groups I’ve worked with since I’ve been here,” he said. “Every year the girls fill out goal sheets and one of the key items was that they want to shoot to make the podium (top three) at state. We have several strong starters back from last year’s team. The ‘new blood’ helps make us a deeper and much better team.”

Laguna finished second to Estancia in last year’s Orange Coast League race, fourth at the CIF-Southern Section Division IV championships and 12th (Division IV) at the CIF state meet.

Last year marked Laguna’s fourth consecutive appearance at state.

Returning from last year’s team is junior Melissa Lenker who was Laguna’s second runner to finish at last year’s state meet, sophomore Kativa Strickland (third runner at state), senior Heather Thomas, juniors Cassidy Robinson, Kelly McCarter and Margaux Reckard, and sophomore Gerry Artman.

“The returners and newcomers run well and work well together,” Towner said. “The summer has been very prosperous for us, and I think it will translate to a very successful season.”

Boys

Laguna has had a strong run in recent years and figures to be another top contender at state again in 2007.

Last year, Coach Dave Brobeck’s team won the Orange Coast League title then went on to second-place finishes at CIF (Division IV) and state (Division IV).

It marked the third straight year the Breakers had reached the podium at state, joining the 2005 team that placed third and the 2004 unit that won a state title.

“Our 2006 team was actually faster than our 2004 championship team,” said Brobeck, who enters his ninth year as head coach. “It just so happened that Big Bear had the fastest runner in the nation. The boys had another great year.”

Key returners for Laguna, with a thought on each from Brobeck:

Yann Panassie, Sr.: Team’s No. 3 runner and All-CIF last year. “Should be the anchor to our team and win most races. A very tough kid.”

Peter Hastings, Sr.: No. 5 runner at state a year ago. “Peter will be called upon to be a leader of this squad. He has a lot of natural ability and simply needs to build on his training.”

Casey Finnerty, Jr.: “The team horse. Casey is in better shape at this point than anyone I have coached in years.”

Rand Hardy, Jr.: “Loaded with ability, Rand knows how to peak at the right time and should be an important contributor to our 2007 run through CIF.”

Richard Mattingley, Soph.: “Second, overall, in Orange County as a freshman a year ago, struggled with injury for months, but is now back and running great.”

Blake Hofmeister, Soph.: “Fourth, overall, in Orange County as a freshman a year ago, Blake made tremendous gains during the track season, has run high mileage this summer and is poised for a huge 2007 season.”

Gone from last year’s teams are Nos. 1, 2 and 4 runners, Jeremy Eaton, Andrew Raub and Michael Brown, all of whom graduated in June.

“For most programs, this spells the end of success,” Brobeck said. “I think folks will find that we retool quickly.

“I expect what I always expect: to be in the hunt for another state championship. This is a very different team though than a year ago. Without question, this year’s team has more talent. However, we’re very young. Sixty-five of our projected 75 boys are underclassmen. Four of my top seven runners may be sophomores, and one more is a freshman. I expect that people will think that we’re too green. However, I’m going to have these guys very ready to overachieve. You have to know how to have success, and this culture is firmly rooted on our team. I won’t be concerned about lower rankings.

“The program is healthy and is thriving. There will be some very good moments ahead for my freshmen and sophomores.”