In a key run in the Pacific Coast League boys' cross country title
race, a banged-up Laguna Beach High team was defeated by host Corona
del Mar, 24-33, at Bonita Creek Park Thursday.
Last year, Laguna defeated the Sea Kings by a point.
Corona del Mar is ranked seventh in the county.
"Their varsity boys are healthy and run close together," Laguna
coach Dave Brobeck said. "We are nursing our dings still, although we
are getting healthy quickly, and I didn't want to really race them
all-out yet.
"The course was concrete with several long, pounding downhills,
and I didn't want to risk further injury, so I chose to keep my guys
in their training shoes and run controlled races."
Still, Laguna's Jeremy Eaton won the race comfortably, winning in
a time of 15:41.
"We weren't blown out and I continue to preach patience," Brobeck
said. "Our time is next month."
Max Mullender, the second Laguna runner to cross the finish line,
ran a 15:57 and finished in fourth place overall.
At the freshman/sophomore level, Laguna defeated Corona del Mar by
a convincing 22-38 score.
In a tight junior varsity race, Laguna was edged by the Sea Kings,
28-29.
In girls' cross country, Laguna was defeated by Corona del Mar,
15-50.
The Breakers' top runner, junior Alex Crawley, didn't run due to
shin splints.
Laguna will run Saturday at the Orange County Championships at
Irvine Regional Park.
Following Saturday's championships, the Breakers will run at the
Mount SAC Invitational on Oct. 21.
The Pacific Coast League finals will be held on Nov. 3, also at
Irvine Regional Park.
