SIX TEAMS TO WATCH : EL DORADO

Coach: Michael Ashe (sixth year).

1995: 8-2, 5-0 in the Empire League; finished first in league, winning by more than 200 points over runner-up Loara.

Key returners: Jessamyn Grewal, So.; Courtney Gulledge, Jr.; Stacy Rosenberg, Jr.

Key newcomers: Kelly Ralph, Fr.; Hanna Wevedau, Fr.

Outlook: El Dorado will have a tough time repeating last season’s success after its top swimmer, Nancy Jo, elected not to swim her senior year. While Ashe would not comment on the impact Jo’s decision would have on his team, he still believes the Golden Hawks will be successful. “It’s hard anytime you lose your top point getter,” Ashe said, “but Grewal, Gulledge and Rosenberg are really stepping it up and doing a super job in practice. I wouldn’t want to count us out.” Jo finished second in the 200 freestyle at the section Division I finals last year and was three-tenths of a second behind Irvine’s Wendy O’Brien in the 50 free. Jo will be hard to replace. “We have some good freshmen who will be starting for us this year,” Ashe said. “They have a lot of talent and will keep us competitive.”