No. 1 Mission Viejo Hits Rough Water, Loses Meet

The Mission Viejo boys’ swim team was no match for visiting San Clemente in its South Coast League dual meet Tuesday afternoon.

The Diablos, ranked No. 1 by The Times, were without three top swimmers who are competing at this week’s U.S. spring nationals in Indianapolis, and No. 2 San Clemente took advantage with a 98-72 victory.

Andy Skora led the Tritons with victories in the 200 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Skora won the freestyle in 1 minute 45.14 seconds, edging Mission Viejo’s Jose Aroesti (1:45.18) in the closest race of the meet. Skora also led a San Clemente sweep in the breaststroke with a time of 1:01.47.

“San Clemente has really looked strong,” said Mission Viejo Coach Jeff Boss. “Especially their depth in the breaststroke. That did it.”

Mission Viejo was without its top performer in the breaststroke, Paul Divan, as well as his brother, Nick. Also, American record holder Larsen Jensen, a Bakersfield Garces transfer, has yet to swim for the Diablos.

San Clemente was without one of its top swimmers, too, sophomore Scott Spansail, who is also competing at the spring nationals.

-- Dan Arritt

Joe Wachs, a designated hitter at West Hills Chaminade, has committed to San Francisco.

Rick Ward, who guided the La Puente football team to Montview League titles the last three seasons, has been named Baldwin Park’s new coach. He replaces Tony Zane, who was 77-61-7 in 14 seasons.

Baldwin Park, which advanced to the playoffs in 2000 and 2001, was 0-9-1 this season. La Puente was 30-13 in three seasons under Ward, including an 8-3 mark this season.

In other coaching news:

* Keife Alex has been named football coach at Los Angeles Verbum Dei, which had dropped its football program after the 2001 season.

Alex, a graduate of Verbum Dei in 1986, will start with a junior-varsity team in the fall.

* James Stewart has been selected Westminster La Quinta’s new football coach, replacing Guy Gardner, who resigned after four seasons but will remain at the school as a teacher.

Stewart was an All-Century League player at Santa Ana Valley in 1989 and played at Santa Ana College.

* Ealar Gallagher, offensive line coach at his alma mater, Pasadena La Salle, has been promoted to varsity football coach, replacing Sab Manente, who announced his resignation earlier this year after his eighth season.

* Marty Albert has been relieved of his football coaching duties at Santa Ana Century High, where he remains as a teacher and track and field coach.

* John Gould, a walk-on boys’ basketball coach at Woodland Hills El Camino Real for the last three seasons, will not be back next season after the school decided to launch a search for a full-time teacher to serve as coach.

* Gary Charlton, an assistant boys’ basketball coach at San Dimas High since 1979, has been promoted to succeed Gary Prestesater, who resigned at the end of the season with a 444-51 record in 23 seasons.

Charlton coached the freshman team at San Dimas from 1979-91 and has been Prestesater’s top assistant since 1992

* Guy Thomas, who resigned as the Alta Loma boys’ basketball coach after two seasons in 2002, is back on the job. He replaces Brian Brown, who resigned to pursue his master’s degree.

* Sally Ruisch resigned as girls’ basketball coach at her alma mater, Hesperia Christian, to become the women’s basketball coach at Victor Valley College, where she also is an alum.