Breakers Roundup:

Laguna’s boys’ cross-country team is rated second in the state in Division IV, and first in the CIF Southern Section. And it showed why Saturday at the Woodbridge Classic in a history-making race.

Senior Blake Hofmeister placed third in the varsity boys’ “rated” race, finishing in 14 minutes, 44 seconds on the three-mile course. Coach Dave Brobeck said it was the fastest three-mile cross-country time in school history. Only the late Eric Hulst, the standout runner in the mid-1970s and one of the best runners in Orange County history, may have run faster, but Brobeck said in those days cross-country courses were two miles long.

“That time really helps validate [Hofmeister] as a complete runner,” Brobeck said.

In addition, the Breakers finished with a team time of 1:16:56. They were third in the rated race competing against mostly Division I and II teams, and Brobeck said it was also the fastest team time in Laguna Beach school history.

“That was a really great performance to open the season,” he said. “Everyone was all smiles.”

Hofmeister was followed by senior teammates Tommy Newton-Neal in 18th (15:13) and junior Matt Neev in 25th (15:19).

As a team, the Breakers finished 14th out of 193 total teams in attendance. Also finishing for Laguna were Andrew Shapero (15:34), Sean Pigden (16:06), Jake Johnson (16:16) and Richard Mattingley (16:36).

Laguna is at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday in the Division IV race.

“Very seldom in back-to-back weeks do we run two hard races, two important races,” Brobeck said. “But we’re going up there to win it.”

The girls’ team also ran in the “rated” division at the Woodbridge Classic, and had several fast times, as well. Senior McKenna Nokes excelled with an 18:34, which Coach Steve Lalim said beat her previous best time by 1:20. The time was 32nd in the varsity girls’ rated race out of 137 harriers.

“She was competitive and ran with confidence,” Lalim said. “It’s a testament to her hard work and dedication throughout the summer and into the school year.”

Natasha Strickland (18:58), Marisa Merchant (19:34), Gerry Artman (19:47) and Beverly Ronses (20:38) also all ran personal-bests. Parker Yamasaki’s time of 19:25 was a course-best for her.

The team finished with a total time of 1:36:08. Kativa Strickland didn’t finish the race because of tenderness in her hip, but Lalim said she’s expected to be fine.