SWIMMING SOUTHERN SECTION RELAYS : By Winning Meet, Mission Viejo Boys Send a Message

Mission Viejo took a step toward reclaiming the Southern Section 4-A boys’ swim title Saturday night. A small step, to be sure, but a move forward all the same.

The Diablos demonstrated their depth by dominating the Southern Section relays at Belmont Plaza. They finished with 202 points, 38 ahead of second-place El Toro.

Winning the meet does little for the Diablos’ chances of winning the 4-A title in May. But the ease of their victory sent a message to the other teams.

“This meet gives you a chance to see where your team stands,” Mission Viejo Coach Mike Pelton said. “You also get to see other teams from all over the section, which gives you an idea who your competition is going to be.”

Mission Viejo controlled the Division 4-A from 1975-88, winning the title 14 consecutive years. But the Diablos finished second each of the past three seasons.

“Second would be a nice season for most teams, but our kids want to get back on top,” Pelton said.

Mission Viejo won Saturday despite missing three of its best swimmers. Matt Turnbull, Adam Grodzki and Brendon Watrus were at the U.S. Swimming junior nationals this week.

The Diablos won the meet without winning a race. Their best finish was a second in 400-yard individual medley.

But they placed teams in all seven of the championship races and built up the points.

San Marino, the defending 4-A champion, won three events--the 400 IM, the 200 butterfly and the 200 medley. But those were the only events in which San Marino qualified teams and it finished sixth overall.

El Toro won the 200 breaststroke and finished second overall. Foothill was third (142), Corona del Mar fourth (138) and Marina fifth (124).