University makes statement at Millikan

University's boys swim team captured its first Millikan Southern Section Relays title on Saturday at Capistrano Valley.
University's 4x100-yard individual medley relay, from left, of Michael Schiffer, Ken Takahashi, Daniel Tran and Corey Okubo set a meet record at the Millikan Southern Section Relays with a time of 3:28.31.
University's 200-yard breaststroke relay, from left, of Michael Schiffer, Judd Howard, Matthew Wong and Chris Havton set a meet-record at the Millikan Southern Section Relays with a 1:47.86.
Edison's 200-yard butterfly relay, from left, of Wade Nelson, Calvin Rogers, Thomas Gillespie and Nate Torres blazed a meet-record 1:32.57 at the Millikan Southern Section Relays.
University's 200-yard backstroke relay, from left, of Daniel Tran, Matt Yong, Jarod Yoshihara and Corey Okubo clocked a meet-record at the Millikan Southern Section Relays with a 1:35.44.

By Dan Albano | dalbano@scng.com | Orange County Register

March 30, 2014 at 7:17 a.m.

MISSION VIEJO – University’s boys swim team positioned itself in prelims as the favorite entering Saturday night’s 43rd Millikan Southern Section Relays.

But instead of cruising through finals, the Trojans turned on the jets and enhanced their status as major CIF Division 1 contenders.

Orange County’s top-ranked team captured six of seven races, including four in meet records, to depart Capistrano Valley with its first CIF relays crown.

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Saturday’s leaderboard: Complete Millikian results

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Only Edison’s record-setting butterfly relay of Wade Nelson, Calvin Rogers, Thomas Gillespie and Nate Torres prevented University from capturing all seven races.

“I knew we had winning (the meet) in our reach,” University senior Corey Okubo said. “But everyone swam above and beyond what we were expecting.”

University finished with 272 points to outdistance runner-up Corona del Mar (212) along with Edison (186) and Northwood (182).

The Trojans also chased away the demons from last season’s final, when a disqualification opened the door for Capistrano Valley to rally for a fifth consecutive title.

“University just looks so deep,” Edison coach Diggy Riley said. “Absolutely legit.”

The Trojans blasted their meet record from prelims in the 400-yard individual medley by almost 4 seconds. Michael Schiffer, Ken Takahashi, Daniel Tran and Okubo combined for a swift time of 3 minutes, 28.31 seconds.

After capturing the 6×50 free, University took the 200 breaststroke by more than 51/2 seconds. Schiffer, Judd Howard, Matthew Wong and Chris Havton finished in a meet-record 1:47.86.

The Trojans’ backstroke relay of Tran, Matt Yong, Jarod Yoshihara and Okubo claimed the third meet record by more than a second with a 1:35.44.

University capped the meet by touching first in the 200 medley relay with a meet-record and automatic All-America time of 1:34.39. The team featured Tran, Wong, Okubo and a sizzling 20.81 anchor-split from Will Hofstadter.

“It’s always been our dream as a team to win CIF,” Schiffer said. “I think we really do have a shot this year.”

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com