1993 PREP PREVIEW / BOYS SWIMMING : MISSION VIEJO

Coach: Mike Pelton (17th year)

1992: South Coast League champions; Southern Section 4-A champions.

Key returners: Robert Delgado, Sr.; Ahmad Filsoot, So.; Jason Hubbart, Sr.; Brad Kaup, Jr.; John Lisabeth, Jr.; Mike Sather, Sr.; Matt Squires, Jr.

Key newcomers: Karl Hyross, Fr.; Peter Struglinski, Sr.

Outlook: After a three-year hiatus, the Diablos returned to the top of the 4-A. It’s a spot they occupied for 14 consecutive years, from 1975-88. A repeat is not out of the question. Mission Viejo lost Polish swimmers Marcin Malinski, who graduated, and Adam Grodzki, who didn’t return to Mission Viejo. They were the backbone of the Diablos’ title run last year. But things are far from bleak. The Diablos have most of the Polish tandems’ support crew back. The best are Delgado (sixth in the 100-yard butterfly at the 4-A meet), Squires (sixth in the 500 freestyle) and Hubbart (third in diving). Then there’s Struglinski, this year’s import from Poland, who is expected to be strong in the 200 individual medley and 100 breaststroke.