Breakers down Mariners in opener
Picking up where both left off last year, the Laguna Beach boys’ and girls’ swim teams chalked up victory No. 1 of the 2012 season Wednesday when both won their season openers against visiting Pacifica of Garden Grove.
The Laguna boys defeated Pacifica, 104-66, and the girls were 87-76 winners over the Mariners.
Among the boys’ individual highlights, senior Samer Alkateb took first place in the 200 freestyle (2 minutes, 0.06 seconds), junior Riley Thomas won the 100 free (52.74) and was second in the 50 free (24.08).
In team events, the Breakers’ 200 free relay of Thomas, seniors Tommy Renner and Erik Henrikson, and Alkateb took first (1:36.52) and that same foursome also won the 400 free relay (3:41.65).
In the girls’ victory, senior Melena Masson won both the 500 free (5:24.97) and 50 Free (26.42), junior Mackenzie Baldridge was first in the 200 free (2:07.30) and second in the 500 free (5:38.13), senior Yoshi Andersen won the 200 individual medley ( 2:22.79) and was second in the 100 free (56.53), junior Lexi Del Toro won the 100 breaststroke (1:16.32) and freshman Makenzie Fischer was second in the 50 free (27.83).
Also victorious was the 200 medley relay team (2:01.97) of Fischer, Del Toro, Andersen and Masson, and the 200 free relay team (1:49.19) of Andersen, Baldridge, Del Toro and Masson.
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Softball
The Breakers launched their new season Wednesday and lost, 14-2, at JSerra.
Freshman Halle Redfearn went three for three and junior Cory Kent went two for three and had a strong game behind the plate.
The Breakers played their first game under new Coach Alan Ludloff.
“Coming off the Ski Week break, our players showed a lot of rust early the game,” Ludloff said. “We settled in and played pretty well after that. We hit the ball hard, (but) just right at them.”
Laguna competes Saturday at the Costa Mesa Tournament. The Breakers open against Artesia at 3 p.m. at TeWinkle Park in Costa Mesa.
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Boys’ Volleyball
The Scott Panaro era at Laguna got off to a successful start Tuesday when the Breakers gave their first-year head coach his first victory in the form of a 25-17, 25-20, 25-21 road win at Edison. Outside hitter Weston Barnes had 13 kills and six digs and Austin Hilleman had eight kills, libero JP Wollam had six digs and setter Grifan Fair had 32 set assists.
“Heading into my first match, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew Edison was going to be tough and they lived up to it,” Panaro said.
“We missed far too many serves and will need to learn when to be aggressive and when to take a little bit off. Overall, it was a great first match and I am proud to be with the Laguna Beach Breakers.”
Laguna, which opened the 2012 season ranked second in CIF Division 2, plays its home opener at 5:15 p.m. Friday against Newport Harbor.
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Boys’ Golf
The Breakers opened their 2012 slate Tuesday and lost, 197-224, to Aliso Niguel at Aliso Viejo Country Club. On Wednesday, the Breakers fell, 205-232, to Sage Hill at Strawberry Farms Golf Course in Irvine.
Laguna takes on Costa Mesa at 2:30 p.m. Monday at Ben Browns Golf Course in Laguna Beach.
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Boys’ Tennis
The Breakers’ season-opening match scheduled Monday against Foothill was rained out. Laguna hosts Arlington in a 3 p.m. nonleague match Friday. Next week, the Breakers play a nonleague match at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Corona del Mar.
Twitter: @MikeSciacca