The task of capturing its first CIF-Southern Section title initially appeared daunting to Laguna Beach’s boys swimming team this spring.
The Breakers migrated to the deeper and more competitive waters of Division 2 after three consecutive strong but somewhat heart-breaking seasons in Division 3. They were Division 3 runner-ups in 2014 and 2012 and placed third in 2013.
“We couldn’t help but think, ‘Oh, man, our chance kind of passed us by,’ ” Laguna Beach boys co-coach Kari Damato recalled thinking at first. “We knew Division 2 was going to be so much more competitive.”
But as the spring unfolded, Laguna Beach blended a strong group of club standouts with a dedicated group of swimmers from water polo. The Breakers racked up the CIF qualifying standards, defended their Orange Coast League title and took eight swimmers and three strong relays to the Division 2 meet.
After a strong showing in prelims on May 15, Laguna Beach emerged as the team-to-beat and smashed its barrier the following morning to claim its first CIF title – boys or girls – in swimming. Laguna Beach scored 219 points to outdistance runner-up Murrieta Valley at 181.
For their efforts, Damato and her second-year co-coach Beth Weber are the Register’s Orange County boys coaches of the year.
Related:
All-County boys swimming and diving team
Boys swimmer of the year: Grant Shoults, Santa Margarita
“I think it was our time – we didn’t give up,” said Damato, whose Breakers finished with nine school records. “We’re so lucky to have the senior water polo players who decided to stick with it and still swim for the high school team their senior year because not everyone does. That’s what made the difference.”
The Breakers’ top point scorers at CIF were a trio of swimmers from the Irvine Novaquatics: Erik Juliusson, Cameron Karkoska and Max Morgan. The three reached finals in two individual events apiece but the Breakers’ CIF team also included water polo players Cade Baldridge, Nolan Del Toro, Jack Dodson, Billy Renner and along with club freestyler Benjamin Greenwood.
With Damato and Weber at the helm, the Breakers’ mix set school records in all three relays at CIF, highlighted by a victory in the 400 freestyle in 3 minutes, 5.75 seconds. The all-water polo 200 free relay placed seventh.
“We have a really good atmosphere at Laguna Beach,” Dodson said. “Just a lot of hard work and character … ends up paying off.”
Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com
