The 2016 O.C. swimming and diving season begins today, highlighted with an intriguing nonleague meet: Dana Hills boys at Loyola of Los Angeles in a pairing of the second and third-place finishers at last season’s Division 1 finals.
Dana Hills was the runner-up to University while Loyola placed third. The Dolphins edged the Cubs, 220-219, for the runner-up plaque in Riverside.
The Dolphins are a bit banged up this spring. Michael Smith, a standout in the butterfly, is dealing with a shoulder injury, Dolphins coach Matt Rosa reports.
Diver Jake Greenberg, the defending CIF-SS Division 1 champion, also is out for the season with an injury, Rosa said.
Here are the key dates for the 2016 season:
IMPORTANT DATES
Dana Hills at Loyola (March 1); Los Amigos Relays/Villa Park Relays (March 5); Millikan Southern Section Relays boys finals (March12); Capistrano Valley Relays finals (March 12); Mt. SAC Winterfest (March 11-12); University at Santa Margarita (March 17); Millikan Southern Section Relays girls finals (March 19); Mission Viejo Invitational (March 19); Savanna Invitational (March 19); Klaus Barth invitational finals (March 25); California Catholic Swim Challenge (April 2); Kennedy Invitational; University at Northwood (April 5); Corona del Mar at University (April 13); Santa Margarita at Mater Dei (April 14); Mt. SAC Swim Meet of Champions (April 15-16); Palm Springs Invitational (April 16); Estancia F/S Invitational (April 16); Fountain Valley at Edison (April 19); Foothill Swim Games (April 23); Swim Meet of Champions-club (April 28-May 1); league finals (May 5-6); May 9-14 (CIF-SS swim/diving finals, Riverside City College); CIF state swim/diving meet (May 20-21, Clovis)
Did we miss a top meet? Please send nominees to dalbano@ocregister.com