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Santa Margarita's Emily Gibson is part of a relay group that is expected to do well in the Millikan Southern Section Relays.
Santa Margarita’s Emily Gibson is part of a relay group that is expected to do well in the Millikan Southern Section Relays.
Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

If Santa Margarita’s top-ranked girls swim team is going to defend its title at the Millikan Southern Section Relays tonight, it will need to overcome another disqualification and stay hot in the finals.

The Eagles’ 200-yard backstroke relay was disqualified during prelims earlier in the week, presenting the team with a challenge similar to last season’s meet.

Santa Margarita shook off a disqualification in the 400 freestyle relay in prelims to capture the 2013 title in a close competition with University and Foothill.

The Eagles and University almost shared the title last season but the Trojans’ apparent winning 200 medley relay was disqualified in the finals for an early jump.

Santa Margarita’s six other relays are well-positioned to score major points tonight. The Eagles are seeded first or second in five events and third in the other.

Based on prelims, Santa Margarita projects to score 220 points, well ahead of the projections of No. 2 Foothill (168), No. 3 Edison (166) and No. 4 University (168).

Finals are scheduled for 5 p.m. at Capistrano Valley.

The Division 1 boys four-way meet between host Capistrano Valley, Corona del Mar, Edison and Loyola of Los Angeles begins at 11 a.m.

EAGLES WELCOME MCLAUGHLIN

Santa Margarita transfer Katie McLaughlin doesn’t become eligible until April, but the junior is still supporting her new team.

McLaughlin attended the Capo Valley Relays last weekend and hung out with her teammates.

“That means a lot,” Santa Margarita co-coach Rich Blanc said. “The girls have already made her feel really welcome. What we like is that the girls have a lot of camaraderie, too. It’s a real family group.”

McLaughlin is following the Southern Section’s sit-out-period rule and becomes eligible April 7. Her first meet could be April 10 at her old school, JSerra.

“Ironic,” Blanc said.

GOING FOR RECORDS

Crean Lutheran coach Craig Brown said he purposely didn’t stack his girls 400 free and medley relays at the Capo Valley Relays.

The Saints instead took aim at the 400 individual medley, 200 butterfly and 200 backstroke and broke records in each by an average of 5 seconds. Senior Lindsey Engel and Ella and Emily Eastin raced on all three of the relays.

“We thought this was the best shot to really set some records that are going last for a while,” Brown said.

“And already we (had) the 4×100 free (record).”

Santa Margarita broke Crean Lutheran’s 400 free record in the finals but the Saints still impressed.

NOTES

The Cypress boys and girls swept the titles at the Anaheim Union High School District Relays on Monday. …

Former U.S. Olympic coach Jim Montrella is serving as an assistant coach at Capistrano Valley. Montrella also is the former women’s coach at Ohio State and made stops at USC and the Nadadores.

“The kids are happy, but they know it’s more work when he’s here,” Capistrano Valley boys coach Steve Yancey said. …

McLaughlin will be among several county swimmers racing this weekend at a Mission Viejo Nadadores’ hosted long-course meters senior club meet (Olympic distances). McLaughlin is entered in seven events for the Nadadores.

The meet also has attracted international Olympic medalists, including Russian sprinter and former USC standout Vlad Morozov. The meet started Friday night with distance events and continues today and Sunday at the Marguerite Recreation Center.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com