PREP PREVIEW 1993: Girls’ Swimming : EL DORADO

Coach: John Bowman (10th year).

1992: Empire League champion; 10th in 4-A championship meet.

Key returners: Jamie Benson, So.; Kella Hoblick, So.; Grace Jo, So.

Key newcomers: Nancy Jo, Fr.; Stacy Rosenberg, Fr.

Outlook: El Dorado won its first league title at the expense of Los Alamitos, which finished second for the first time since 1984. Instrumental in El Dorado’s feat was Hoblick, the defending 4-A champion in the 200-yard individual medley and the 100 breaststroke and the school’s most high-profile swimmer since Janet Evans. Although mainly a two-team league race between Los Alamitos and El Dorado, Esperanza is no slouch. El Dorado newcomers Nancy Jo, who is Grace’s sister, and Rosenberg are freestylers but will swim “wherever we need them,” Bowman said. The Hawks are aiming high this season. They’d like to defend their league championship, qualify between six and eight swimmers for the league meet and improve on their section finish from 1992. Strength areas are sprint freestyle, individual medley and butterfly, but there are questions at breaststroke and in the long-distance freestyle.