Davison Is the Diablos’ Home-Grown Distance Specialist

Scott Davison isn’t the type of Mission Viejo High swimmer people usually hear, or talk, about.

He’s from Mission Viejo.

When the Diablos are mentioned, people generally focus on the foreign swimmers who compete for the team. This season will be no different. With Juan Veloz (Mexico), Torwai Sethsothorn (Thailand) and Carlo Piccio (Philippines) back, Mission Viejo is almost assured of its 21st Southern Section Division I title.

“When people talk about our team, it’s always about the foreign guys who come here,” said Davison, a senior. “I know it’s true. The foreign guys come here and they are really fast. So people talking about it doesn’t really bother me . . . not too much.”

But the Diablos probably wouldn’t get the title without the likes of Davison, a standout in the distance freestyle events. A year ago, he finished fourth in the 500-yard freestyle and was a finalist in the 200 freestyle.

Davison makes the Diablos formidable . . . especially with Veloz, Sethsothorn and Piccio in the pool as well.

Veloz is ranked 25th in the world in the 200-meter butterfly. Sethsothorn is 36th in the 400 individual medley. They, as well as Piccio, will attempt to make the Olympics this summer.

And Davison? He will be in pursuit of his older brother, James.

At age 5, Davison followed his brother into the pool with the Mission Viejo Nadadores. James Davison, who now swims for California, was the Southern Section Division I champion in the 500-yard freestyle.

The three-year age difference has always left Scott in his brother’s wake. The gap, though, is closing.

“Scott has been chasing him, trying to get to the times his brother achieved,” Nadadores Coach Bill Rose said. “His brother was CIF champion and Scott is trying to do that.”

James Davison’s top time in the 500 free is 4:28; Scott’s is six seconds off that.

“I notice now that I can actually compete with my brother,” Scott said. “He used to be so much faster than me. He’s still faster, but I’ve caught up a bit.”

James Davison, a member of the 1999 U.S. national open water swim team, won the open water 10K championship in July with a time of 2 hours 1 minute 47 seconds. Scott was second, less than four minutes behind (2:05:32), and won the 18-and-under division.

Both had better not look over their shoulders as there are two younger brothers and a younger sister who might have them in their sights.

“I guess it’s a family thing,” Scott Davison said.

Davison has made tremendous strides the past two years.

“The key was he followed the program very well,” Rose said. “He allowed himself time to naturally develop. He has the technique down and now his body is catching up with him.”

Davison has already qualified for the Senior Nationals in the 1,500 meters. He is also close to qualifying in the 1,000, 800 and 500.

“Swimming is such a challenge,” Davison said. “You train hard, but the payoff is nice. You get to beat your friends.”

TIMELY TRANSFER

Newport Harbor’s swim team gets a boost this season from sophomore Carly Geehr, who transferred from Pasadena Mayfield.

Geehr, who swims for the Irvine Novaquatics, is expected to be a contender for the Olympic team this summer. She set Division III records in the 200-yard IM (2:02.35) and 500 freestyle (4:46.51) at the section meet last May.

If you have an item or idea for the swimming report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at: chris.foster@latimes.com