Cross-Country: Breakers sweep at OCL finals

Laguna Beach High runners dominated the competition field Wednesday at the Orange Coast League cross-country finals, and the Breakers went on to win girls’ and boys’ varsity titles at Irvine Regional Park in Orange.

The Laguna girls, ranked third in CIF Southern Section Division 4, powered its way to the championship by taking the top five individual spots, and placing seven runners among the top 10 finishers. Leading the Laguna contingent was senior Brenna Merchant, who won the varsity individual title in a time of 18 minutes, 17 seconds. Sophomore Kirsten Landsiedel was second at 18:28.13, junior Pearl Shoemaker third (18:29.53), senior Janie Crawford fourth (18:33.06), and senior Natalie Kimball fifth (18:45.47).

In slots six through 10, junior Taylor Alvarez was seventh (19:03.62) and freshman Grace LaMontagne placed eighth (19:04.17).

Laguna won the girls’ team title with an overall time of 1:32:33.19. Godinez was second (1:38:13.27), Saddleback third (1:41:58.48), Costa Mesa fourth (1:43:20.30), and Estancia fifth (1:59:30.93).

The Laguna boys’ team, ranked fifth in CIF Southern Section Division 4, put four runners in the top 10. Senior Cameron Zuziak was the Breakers’ top placement and took second with a time of 15:27.23 2. Zuziak placed behind senior Anuare Magana of Costa Mesa (15:10.18). Laguna senior Grant Barton was third at 15:36.32, junior Penn Nielson fourth (15:53.14), and junior Mason Pitz was seventh (16:12.17).

Rounding out the finishes for the Breakers, junior Drake Butler was 12th (16:29.00), junior Carter Fraser 20th (17:05.39), and senior Liam Corrigan was 28th (17:49.23).

Laguna won the boys’ team title with an overall time of 1:19:37.86. Godinez was second (1:22:09.63), Costa Mesa third (1:22:02.64), Saddleback fourth (1:23:09.65), Calvary Chapel fifth (1:35:00.62), and Estancia sixth (1:42:55.20).

In the junior varsity division, Laguna junior Lauryn Alvarez won the girls’ race in 19:36. 20. The Breakers won the girls’ JV title. In the boys’ JV race, junior Tim Andrews placed second for the Breakers who finished third in the team standings.

At the frosh/soph level, Laguna sophomore Jake Mangus took second for the Breakers who won the boys’ title.

The Laguna girls’ and boys’ varsity teams next will compete at the CIF Southern Section Cross-Country Championships Division 4 prelims at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut on Nov. 15.

— From staff reports