Capistrano Valley Forced to Forfeit Swim Victory Against Mission Viejo

Capistrano Valley High School has had to forfeit its South Coast League boys’ swim victory against Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo Principal Robert Metz said Friday.

The Cougars defeated the Diablos, 79-77, on March 10. Mission Viejo officials lodged a protest, claiming Capistrano Valley had violated the closed-book procedure.

Under the U.S. Swimming Federation guidelines, a team cannot change swimmers after receiving the lineup from an opposing team. Tom Anthony, Capistrano Valley principal, said the Cougars had changed swimmers in the 400-yard freestyle relay and 200 individual medley relay after lineups had been exchanged.

In a meeting Friday, league principals voted to award Mission Viejo the victory.

Anthony said he has appealed the decision to the Southern Section. Anthony, who attended the meet, said he was unaware of the protest at the time and was not informed of it until the next day.

A Southern Section official said a ruling on the appeal would be made next week.