Capistrano Valley Boys Edge Mission Viejo in Swimming

The Capistrano Valley High School boys’ swimming team relied on its depth to defeat Mission Viejo, 79-77, in a South Coast League meet Thursday at Saddleback College.

Junior Kevin Eggert led the Cougars by winning the 50-yard freestyle in 22.35 seconds and the 100 butterfly in 52.88 seconds.

Mission Viejo (3-1 and 1-1 in league meets) trailed before the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, but Capistrano Valley (4-0, 2-0) finished second to clinch the victory. Mission Viejo won in 3 minutes 17.40 seconds.

The Diablos had two double winners, junior Eric Diehl and senior Tsukasa Kawabuchi. Diehl won the 200 individual medley (1:51.07) and the 500 freestyle (4:31.39). Kawabuchi won the 100 freestyle (47.08) and the 200 freestyle (1:44.11).

In the girls’ competition, Mission Viejo won seven of 10 events to defeat Capistrano Valley, 94-60.

Despite missing four swimmers who were at the junior national meet, Mission Viejo (4-0, 2-0) raced away from the three-time defending Southern Section Division 4-A champions. Sophomore Leslie Rhee won the 200 freestyle (2:02.08) and the 100 butterfly (1:02.33) for Mission Viejo.

Mission Viejo sophomore Katarina Triska had little competition in the 500 freestyle, winning by nearly 20 seconds in 5:11.84.

Defending Southern Section champion Christy Carolin won the 50 freestyle (24.57) and the 100 freestyle (54.14), which she won by five seconds, for Capistrano Valley (2-2, 0-2).