Ready to run

Last season was one for the ages for the Laguna Beach High boys’

cross country program.

The 2004 squad of runners etched their names into the school

record books by staging an unexpected run to a state championship.

Although the program still basks in its much-deserved glory,

thoughts are now on the 2005 season, which begins Saturday with two

invitational runs.

“What’s most important about this year’s teams is that we don’t

live in the past successes we’ve had,” coach Dave Brobeck said. “No

one else will care that we won last year. The challenges are

immediate, and the discipline, vision, and desire must match what it

was last year. I’m not too concerned about this though. My team is

mature and focused.”

Brobeck has three all-Pacific Coast League runners returning this

fall in seniors Max Mullender and Aman Bhatia and junior Jeremy

Eaton.

In addition to earning all-league status, Mullender was named

all-CIF and all-state. Bhatia and Eaton were all-CIF.

“Each is capable of being a No. 1 runner at any time,” Brobeck

said of the returning trio. “They have the ability to be the best

three runners in our league.

“After these three, I have a quorum of guys that few people know

about yet. They are not known because each spent extended periods of

2004 injured. If my summer workouts are any indication of how good

they will be, there shouldn’t be a huge gap after the No. 3 runner.”

The others are juniors Michael Brown, Andrew Raub, Ryan McCarter,

Andy Lyon and Corey Hedden and sophomore Sheldon Eaton.

“We will have over 50 boys on this year’s team, and I believe

every one of them will be a competitor,” Brobeck said. “The

competition for the seven varsity slots should be intense all season

long.”

In addition to the varsity’s success in 2004, last year’s

freshman-sophomore team won its third straight PCL championship, and

in convincing fashion: Five of the top 10 runners at league finals

were wearing Laguna maroon.

“I know that the health of the program on a long-term basis is

built on how strong your freshmen and sophomore runners are,” Brobeck

said.

“We teach pace development in an exacting manner so that they know

what a five minute pace feels like without having to be wearing a

watch. They rarely get caught up in the moment when the pressure is

on, and they understand the importance of recovery and nutrition.”

With a strong nucleus back and talented, up-and-coming runners

vying for spots on varsity, Laguna could be in good position for

another prime run at the state meet, which is held in late November

in Fresno.

But first things first, said Brobeck.

“So many things have to happen for it to all come together in

November,” Brobeck said. “There are so many variables in training

that must play a role at the correct time in the calendar.

“Without question, our biggest key is to stay healthy this year.

We handicapped ourselves with injury last year and still won league

and state. We cannot make this mistake again. I must do a better job

of this. My only real goal is to have my seven best on the line in

Fresno Thanksgiving weekend.”

The Pacific Coast League race could come down to a three-team

fight between Laguna, Corona del Mar and Northwood.

Even though Brobeck’s squad doesn’t put too much emphasis on

league races, the Breakers have defeated Corona del Mar two straight

years.

The Sea Kings return their entire squad from 2004.

“After beating CdM the past two years, they should be the team to

beat in 2005,” Brobeck said. “Everyone on their team returns. I’m not

concerned though. We’ll handle them just fine. We’re taking it all

slow and moving on from last year. We’ll create another set of

lifetime memories with this team this year.”