Swimming 2011 season preview

University's girls swim team relied on depth to edge Edison for the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 title last May.

In 2011, depth could again be the key ingredient for the Trojans.

University, ranked No. 1 in Orange County's preseason dual meet poll, returns eight swimmers who scored points at last season's Division 1 final in Long Beach. The Trojans edged Edison, 235-233, at Belmont Plaza.

Coach Robin Jacobsen's squad also brings back several non-scoring Division 1 qualifiers and features with some notable additions.

• Boys swimming preseason Top 10
• Girls swimming preseason Top 10
• Boys swimmers to watch
• Girls swimmers to watch
• Divers to watch
• Important dates for swimming season
• 2011 season previews for other spring sports

University has welcomed freshmen Annie Tran and Mary Kate Coloa. Tran trains with the Irvine Aquazot and should add depth in the sprint freestyles and 100-yard butterfly.

The Trojans also have added Tesoro transfer Olivia Evans, who can race the 200 individual medley, backstroke and sprint freestyles.

"Everyone is excited about the depth of our team," Jacobsen said of her team in an e-mail. "We have many girls who made it to CIF prelims last season and really are determined to make it to finals this year.

"Our point scorers from last year are looking to improve on their performances and take it to the next level."

Edison will again be a formidable in Division 1. The Chargers graduated two-time Register female swimmer of the year Cindy Tran (now a Pac-10 champion at Cal) but still feature plenty of depth.

TOUGH COMPETITION

University and Edison again discussed racing a nonleague meet but scheduling conflicts prevented it from being booked.

But in boys swimming, top-ranked Capistrano Valley will again play host to fellow Division 1 contenders Corona del Mar – No. 2 in the county preseason poll -- and Loyola in a double-dual meet on April 19.

In repeating as Division 1 champion in May, Capistrano Valley edged runner-up Loyola by six points. Corona del Mar placed a strong third.

ON THE MOVE

Reigning Register female swimmer of the year Melanie Klaren of Aliso Niguel, Capistrano Valley's Logan Redondo, Rancho Alamitos' Alex Cisneros and Trabuco Hills freshman Connor Dobbs will be part of the Mission Viejo Nadadores' contingent later this week at the Indianapolis Grand Prix – a USA Swimming meet.

YOUNG GUN

Crean Lutheran's Lindsey Engel is a freshman to watch. At the recent Junior Olympics in Long Beach, the Irvine Novaquatics standout won the 100-yard freestyle in 50.04 seconds.

Former Irvine sprinter Courtney Cashion and 2010 Fountain Valley grad Cynthia Fascella are the only county girls to have broken 50 seconds in 100 free in a high school meet.

Engel could break 50 seconds this week at a sectional club meet with the Novaquatics at Texas A & M.

NOTES

Four-time Olympic medalist Kaitlin Sandeno (El Toro) is not assisting at Mater Dei but has started Sandeno Swim Club in Lake Forest. For more information, go to www.kaitlinsandeno.com. ...

Daniel "Racc" Julson is the new boys coach at El Toro. ...

Victor Flynn has resigned as the aquatics director at El Modena. Veteran Mark Tierney is coaching the swim program.