PREP NOTES : Lynch Is Leaving Costa Mesa to Coach Capistrano Valley

Costa Mesa water polo Coach Jason Lynch has resigned to take over the Capistrano Valley program, Lynch said Friday.

In five seasons at Costa Mesa, Lynch led the Mustangs to five Pacific Coast League titles and three appearances in a Southern Section final. Costa Mesa won the Division III title in 1992 and lost to Pasadena Poly, 12-11, in overtime in the 1993 final.

Lynch takes over at Capistrano Valley for Don Cholodenko, who resigned after the season to spend more time with his family and concentrate on coaching the school’s swim team.

Lynch, who lives in Mission Viejo, said the proximity to work was one reason he accepted the new job. He also said he wanted to coach at the Division I level.

“Obviously, it was an emotional decision for me to make,” Lynch said. “But someone told me that I’ve done everything at Costa Mesa that I can do, so it’s time for a new challenge. I agree with that.”

Lynch, who will also teach biology and life science at Capistrano Valley, expects to start next month.