1995 PREP PREVIEW: WATER POLO : Costa Mesa

Coach: Brian Kreutzkamp (second year).

1994: 23-7 overall, 5-0 in the Pacific Coast League; lost to Marina, 11-5, in the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs.

Key returners: James Comfort, driver, Sr.; Ryan Dandy, driver, Sr.; Robert Grayeli, two-meter man, Sr.; Sean Hylton, two-meter defender, Sr.; Ryan Kelly, defender, Sr.; Roger Kirnos, two-meter man, Sr.; Elijah McDaniel, driver, Sr.; Justin Taylor, goalkeeper, Jr.

Key newcomers: Chad Cleaver, driver, So.; Todd Hylton, driver, So.

Outlook: Costa Mesa begins its second season in Division II as the division’s top-ranked team. The Mustangs, going for their 10th consecutive Pacific Coast League title, are also ranked a school-record second in Orange County. “The past five or six years Costa Mesa has usually been seventh through 10th in the county,” Kreutzkamp said. “It’s not good enough anymore. We want to be in the upper rankings.” Grayeli, a first-team all-division selection, should lead the way. And Hylton, at 6 feet 6, will provide bulk and more offensive power. Comfort and Dandy are the fastest swimmers on a fast team that depends on a quick counterattack, and Taylor is solid in goal.