Clark claims county title

For the second consecutive year, a member of the Laguna Beach High track and field program has won an individual title at the Orange County Championships.

Saturday at Mission Viejo High, Laguna senior Brittany Clark sprinted past the competition to win the county title in the girls’ 100-meters. She ran a personal best 12.27 to easily eclipse her previous best time of 12.6.

Last year, Laguna’s Justin Rovin won a county title in the boys’ 300-hurdles.

“She won the race quite easily,� Laguna Coach Dave Brobeck said of Clark. “In fact, she had it won right out of the blocks. Her quickness out of the blocks has become unparalleled with other competitors. This is a dramatic improvement from just a year ago. She appeared to win the race by about five yards, a true blowout in the 100-meters.�

Brobeck said Clark has chosen to compete next year at Pepperdine University.

“They will be very fortunate to be getting her,� he said. “Laguna will not see a sprinter like her for years to come.�

Also at the county event, Laguna’s E.J. Gomez and Jonathon Martinez also were impressive and nearly turned in identical times in the boys’ varsity 400. Gomez finished in 51.2, followed by Martinez at 51.3.

“I will be relying on these guys heavily as we move toward league finals next week and CIF in the weeks to follow,� said Brobeck, who also noted that Sheldon Eaton continued to “dazzle� in the 110- and 300-hurdles.

In a previous Orange Coast League dual against visiting Estancia, Laguna swept the varsity competition. Standout senior jumper Nick Newell was instrumental in the boys’ win with victories in the long, triple and high jumps.

Next up for Laguna is the league prelims meet which begins at 3 p.m. Monday at Orange Coast College. League finals begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, also at OCC.

Clark selected to All-Star basketball

Brittany Clark also has been selected to play on the South squad that will battle the North Saturday in the 2007 Kiwanis/PlyoCity All-Star Girls’ Basketball Game.Tipoff is 8:15 p.m. at El Toro High.

Clark and Jennifer Courtney of Costa Mesa are the only two players representing the Orange Coast League in the game.

In boys’ volleyball

First-place Laguna ran its Orange Coast League record to 6-0 Tuesday following a 25-15, 25-11, 25-18 victory at Calvary Chapel. Shawn Merz had 15 kills, Blair Bigelow 10 kills and Clay Knapp 35 set assists for the Breakers.

In a previous league match, Laguna dominated host Estancia, 25-10, 25-14, 25-16. Cooper Gwaltney had nine kills.

The Breakers, now 10-13 overall, complete a three-game road swing with a 4:45 p.m. match today at Costa Mesa.

Laguna concludes league play and the regular season next week, hosting Estancia Monday and Calvary Chapel on Wednesday. The school’s annual alumni game is scheduled for May 4.

In boys’ tennis

In a key Orange Coast League battle Monday, Laguna was edged by host Estancia, 10-8. The win gave the Eagles a share of the league title and denied the Breakers the same feat. Estancia won its first league title since 2004.

Laguna dominated doubles play. The No. 1 team No. 1 Spencer Wu/Noah Michelon and No. 3 Jared Berkson/Michael Rubel swept the Eagles and No. 2 Graham Unterberger/Sean Ochwat won two of three. The Breakers previously had defeated visiting Calvary Chapel, 11-7.

Laguna Beach High to host league events

Laguna Beach High will host both the Orange Coast League boys’ tennis and coed swimming prelims and finals next week.

The boys’ tennis prelims begin at 2 p.m. Tuesday on the school courts and the league finals begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The league’s swimming prelims are at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the finals to follow at 2 p.m. Thursday.

Laguna 5th in Southern Section

Laguna remained fifth in the latest CIF-SS Division II boys’ volleyball poll, which was released Monday.

Division II rankings: 1. Corona del Mar; 2. Santa Barbara; 3. Valencia/Valencia; 4. Dos Pueblos; 5. Laguna Beach; 6. Arcadia; 7. Claremont; 8. Santa Ynez; 9. Saugus; 10. Canyon/Canyon Country.

Others: Buena; San Marcos; Oxnard; San Luis Obispo.