GEARING UP FOR FALL: Laguna teams seeded high in CIF rankings

The high school cross-country season begins this week and when it does, the Laguna Beach boys’ team will begin the year as No. 1.

In one of the initial CIF Southern Section fall sports polls of the 2008-09 school year, Laguna was dubbed No. 1 in the Division IV cross-country poll.

In the girls’ Division IV poll, Laguna was ranked seventh.

In addition to its top ranking in the Southern Section, Laguna Coach Dave Brobeck said that the Breakers were ranked second in the CIF State rankings, behind central California power McFarland High.

While the notice is flattering, Brobeck said he doesn’t put much emphasis on the preseason ranking.

“I don’t know a coach who likes being a preseason No. 1,” he said. “I suppose it’s flattering in a way. We’re just not going to be concerned about our rankings this year. In fact, I expect us to drop in the next few weeks. I tend to avoid running all of the horses together until CIF time. We do have the horses, though.”

Following Laguna in the Division IV poll is Big Bear, Morro Bay, Paraclete, Harvard/Westlake, L.A. Baptist, JSerra, Nordoff, Oaks Christian and Maranatha.

The girls’ Division IV poll is headed by La Reina of Thousand Oaks. The rest of the poll order is Oaks Christian, Templeton, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, JSerra, Laguna Beach, St. Joseph, Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks and Harvard/Westlake.

The high school cross-country season kicks off throughout the Southland this week and culminates with the CIF-SS Finals on Nov. 22 at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut. The CIF-State Championships are Nov. 29 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

Both Laguna teams will open their seasons Saturday running the Laguna Hills Invitational.

? Boys’ Water Polo

Laguna, which opens its season today at Villa Park, is ranked fourth in the initial CIF Division III poll of the season. Leading the poll is Montebello, which the Breakers host Sept. 23. Damien comes in at No. 2, followed by Murrieta Valley at No. 3. After Laguna comes Redlands, Temascal Canyon, Chaparral, Ayala, Yucaipa and Redlands East Valley rounds out the top 10.

Next week, Laguna opens its home schedule hosting Dana Hills on Tuesday, plays Foothill at Beckman High on Wednesday and then opens play on Thursday at the Riverside Poly Tournament.