YOUTH SCENE: Track and Field Day a success

TRACK AND FIELD

Thurston Middle School held its first Sixth Grade Track and Field Day on May 9 at Guyer Field.

Students were divided into six teams “” by color “” and competed in tug-of-war, individual and relay races, softball throw, frisbee toss, long jump and standing broad jump.

Each student was required to participate in two events, with at least one running event.

Athletic Director Steve Lalim “” who also coaches girls’ track and field at Laguna Beach High “” said the event was a great success.

“Our principals were very supportive in the planning process for the meet, and it was great they allowed us to take [the kids] off campus and do this event,” he said.

Some sixth-graders’ parents were also excited to help with the event “” about 40 percent volunteered “” something for which Lalim said he is most grateful.

Susan Anderson said she was happy to see kids who do not normally think of themselves as athletic, really push themselves to the limit.

Another mom, Erin Capobianco, said she was impressed with how well organized the event was, and that the kids knew what was expected of them ahead of time.

For each event, the students were assigned points “” 1 through 6 “” depending on what order they placed. Tug-of-war and co-ed relays earned double points, on a 2 through 12 scale. At the end of the day, the points were added up for each team and the winner was determined.

The Black team took first place with 172 points; Blue took second with 108 points; Orange came in third with 104 points; Red earned 93 points putting them in fourth place; Green came in fifth with 81 points; the Yellow team pulled in 68 points and sixth place.

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Clinic available

Youth runners can improve on the basics of track and field while preparing for the OCMAA track meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Guyer Field. Coach Fred Pichay will focus on endurance, strength, speed and jumping drills. Teens will practice the shot put and ages 12 and younger will practice the softball throw. $32 per youth, and $16 per additional family member.

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LITTLE LEAGUE

Team Hobie grabbed second place in the Majors Division after a 13-3 win over American Legion on Tuesday at Riddle Field. This was a big game for both teams, as it determined who would fall in second and third place overall.

Hobie scored three runs in the first inning, with hits by Morgan Lebby and Cole Zarinelli that drove in Sundance Severino and Garrett Burk. Lebby stole home, securing a 3-0 lead.

American Legion stayed close in the bottom of the first, when Richie Nunis batted in two runs with his eighth home run of the season.

The second inning was another active one for Hobie, with a series of walks and triples by Severino and Lebby that resulted in another seven runs. They tacked on three more in the top of the fifth, when Lebby hit a home run and another double hit by Steven Lavery sent home two more runners on base.

On defense, Cole Hutson made a running catch at center field, putting out Legion’s Andrew Kimball. Pitchers Lebby and Burk combined to strike out 10.

Hobie and Legion will meet again at noon on Saturday to open the Laguna Beach Little League Divisional playoffs.

Team Hobie will take on American Legion in Little League Majors action on Saturday as the two teams open the LBLL Divisional Playoffs.

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JUNIOR GUARD PREP

Laguna Beach High will hold Junior Guard prep classes for youth, ages 7 and older, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays until June 5.

Coach Chad Beeler and staff will teach backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle and butterfly and will help kids develop speed and endurance. $55 per session. For more information, contact l [email protected]

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SWIMMING

Swimmers, ages 5 and older can learn strokes and prepare for swim team with Coach Chad Beeler from 5:30 to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through June 4. Caps and goggles required. $55 per session.

For more information, contact [email protected].

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BASKETBALL

Basketball players are invited to drop in and play Sunday, 9 to 11:30 a.m. at Dugger Gym; also Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m. at Thurston Middle School. Free for ages 18 and younger.

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BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

For Young Kids, the Temple Terrace Branch offers Outdoor Games from 2 to 2:45 p.m. and Sports Club from 4 to 4:30 p.m. daily. Monthly fees for activities before 2:15 p.m. are $250, $225 for activities after 2:15 p.m. Drop-in fee is $25.

Martial Arts

Build confidence, strength, and balance with martial arts and yoga classes: Pau Kau is offered from 4 to 4:45 p.m. today and Tuesday. $60 per month; Yoga and Tai Chi is from 3 to 4 p.m. today. $30 per month. A “special combo” for both classes is $80 per month. For more information, call (949) 494-2535.

Summer Camp

Registration for Summer Day Camp is now open. The camp will run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. From June 23 to August 27; includes sports, swimming, dance camp, beach days, group challenges and field trips; $20 per day with membership. Annual membership is $150. For more information, visit www.bgclaguna.org.