Capistrano Valley Swim Forfeit Upheld

The Southern Section has upheld a South Coast League ruling that forced the Capistrano Valley High School swim team to forfeit its victory over Mission Viejo, Bill Clark, associate commissioner of athletics, said Wednesday.

The Cougars defeated the Diablos, 79-77, March 10. However, Mission Viejo officials filed a protest, claiming the Cougars had violated the closed-book policy.

National Federation of State High School Athletic Assn. rules state that a coach can not change swimmers in an event after receiving the opposing team’s lineup. Capistrano Valley Principal Tom Anthony said the Cougars had changed swimmers in the 400-yard freestyle and 200 individual medley relays after the lineups had been exchanged.

The league principals voted to award the Diablos the forfeit.

However, Anthony said he had not been properly informed about the protest and filed an appeal with the Southern Section.