Tests upcoming for Laguna tennis

A few years ago, American Express launched an advertising campaign that asked “Where’s Andy’s Mojo?” It didn’t work out so well, as Andy Roddick lost in the first round of the U.S. Open that year.

Don’t look now, but the Laguna Beach High tennis team is starting to get some of its mojo back.

The Breakers did lose a pair of nonleague matches this week. On Monday, they lost at Cerritos, 9-9 (69-66 on games) in a rematch of last year’s Division IV final. Then on Wednesday, they suffered a 13-5 loss to Mater Dei at Los Caballeros in Fountain Valley.

But Coach Aaron Talarico said he was proud of his team’s fight against Cerritos. Against Mater Dei, the team had a chance to win five sets in the first round, but could win only two, hurting the Breakers’ chances.

However, Talarico said seniors Alex Gromet and Cameron Cornell have been playing well at No. 3 doubles, and that continued with a pair of wins against the Monarchs.

Laguna, which topped Costa Mesa, 17-1, on Tuesday, is in firm control of the Orange Coast League race. It hosted Godinez Thursday and now prepares for a pair of fellow Division IV foes next week.

The Breakers host Whitney on Monday and St. Margaret’s on Tuesday.

“We’ll see how it goes,” Talarico said. “I’m pumped.”

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SWIMMING

The Breakers are headed to Santa Cruz for a meet Saturday.

Before heading off, they topped Godinez and Calvary Chapel in their first Orange Coast League action Wednesday. The varsity boys beat Godinez, 112-60, and Calvary, 113-12. The varsity girls topped Godinez, 111-46, and Calvary, 136-0.

Coach Kari Johnson said her teams swam tired after a hard week of practice, but were able to pull off wins. Team captains have also been announced: Spencer Dodson, Robert Chew and Sean Mulville for the boys and Taylor Capobianco for the girls.

Standout swims Wednesday included Nile Koegel in the 100 butterfly (58.50 seconds) and Nolan McConnell in the 100 freestyle (51.70). On the girls’ side, Yoshi Andersen swam a 2:25.42 in the 200 IM and a 57.80 in the 100 free. Paige Watroba touched in at 1:09.73 in the 100 fly.

Laguna is back in action at home against Estancia on Wednesday.

TRACK AND FIELD

Blake Hofmeister finished in eighth place (9:10.78) in the 3,200-meter seeded race at the Arcadia Invitational on Saturday. Tommy Newton-Neal was 26th in the 3,200 meters open race (9:32.05) and Matt Neev was 34th (9:39.58).

Laguna also finished 10th in the distance medley relay (10:42.54).

Brett Linkletter was 22nd in the long jump (20 feet 3 3/4 ).

The Breakers’ next meet is against Estancia on Thursday.