Mission Viejo Turns Challenge Into Laugher

It was billed as the California Challenge, but Mission Viejo turned it into a romp Saturday.

Not only did the Diablo boys do fine without Bart Kizierowski, who out with the flu, several of them turned in some top county times on the way to their double victory over Englewood (Colo.) Cherry Creek and Foothill at the El Toro High pool.

Mission Viejo, one of the county’s best in boys’ swimming, was impressive in its 119-51 victory over Cherry Creek, ranked third nationally among large-enrollment schools.

Mission Viejo last faced Cherry Creek two years ago. In that meet, the Bruins edged the Diablos, 84-82.

“Our kids are swimming fast now,” Mission Viejo Coach Mike Pelton said. “But that’s what you want, especially when you start heading into the Southern Section finals.”

The Diablos also beat fourth-ranked Foothill, 119-51, and Knights lost to the Bruins, 96-74. Although Foothill had some good times, Mission Viejo still dominated almost every race.

In the first event, Mission Viejo immediately showed its strength winning the 200 medley relay with Karl Hyross, Piotr Florczyk, Agustin Guzman and Juan Rodela posting a county best time of 1 minute 39.23 seconds.

Cherry Creek was second, almost two seconds behind.

Mission Viejo senior Matt Burny recorded the fastest 50 freestyle in the county this season, winning the event in 21.29.

The Polish junior national medalist also won the 100 freestyle in 47.02, more than a second faster than the previous county best.

Florczyk, who took second at senior nationals and who is also from Poland, recorded the fastest time this season in the 500 freestyle, winning in 4:39.13.

In that race, sophomore James Thornton of Foothill led until the 400-yard mark, but Florczyk took the lead and finished a body length ahead. Thornton took second in 4:42.20, but won the 200 freestyle in 1:45.26.

Mission Viejo’s 200 freestyle relay team of Kevin Dunkley, Guzman, Burny and Fausto Trivino also posted a county-best by winning in 1:28.78, as did the Diablo 400 free team of Rodela, Florczyk, Hyross and Burny, winning in 3:13.53.

Other winners for Mission Viejo included Guzman, a member of the Mexican national team, who posted a 52.09 in the 100 butterfly and freshman Evan Ray, who won the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.78.