2010 swimming season preview

Capistrano Valley's boys swim team emerged from a tight race to capture the CIF-SS Division 1 crown last season.

And with seven swimmers from that meet back this spring, the Cougars could be the team to beat again.

"I think we're right in the mix," said Capistrano Valley coach Steve Yancey, whose squad is ranked No. 1 in the Orange County preseason dual-meet poll. "It's going to be interesting."

Click here for a breakdown of the top swimmers and teams to watch, plus important dates for the 2010 season.

Capistrano Valley figures to be an intriguing contender because of its star-power and depth.

The Cougars return six swimmers who scored points at the Division 1 finals in May. They boast five seniors in Harvard-bound Spenser Goodman, Lucas Norman (UC Santa Barbara), Brock Redondo (Army), Jason Dahlen and Chad Farnan. The sixth is sophomore Logan Redondo, Brock's brother. Breaststroker Michael Gonzeles reached the consolation finals but was disqualified.

Capistrano Valley's strongest individual event appears to be the 500-yard freestyle. Yancey believes the Cougars are six-deep in the distance event.

Capistrano Valley will find where it stands quickly. On March 25, the Cougars will host last season's Division 1 runner-up Loyola, and county No. 2 Corona del Mar in a nonleague meet.

SHOWDOWN

The No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the girls preseason poll have scheduled a dual meet. Top-ranked Edison will race at No. 2 University on April 17. The Chargers are coming off their first Division 1 title. University's girls finished second last season in Division 1.

Edison and University didn't race in a dual meet last season, creating some intense debate on OCVarsity.com over the No. 1 ranking.

MAKING WAVES

The biggest transfer of the offseason is expected to debut with her new team Friday. Junior Melanie Klaren will race for Aliso Niguel when its travels to El Toro, Wolverines coach Ryan Cox said. Klaren won the Division 1 title in the 200-yard freestyle as a freshman at Mater Dei. She didn't swim high school last season.

In November, Klaren also joined a new club team: the Mission Viejo Nadadores.

With Klaren in the mix, the Wolverines could challenge for their first South Coast League title.

NOTES

Woodbridge sophomore Dayae Choi is one of the county's fastest improving sprinters. At the recent older Junior Olympics at Belmont Plaza in Long Beach, she won the 100-yard freestyle for girls 15-18 in a quick 50.90 seconds. ... Fountain Valley sprinter Cynthia Fascella could be fun to watch in the 200 freestyle. The UCLA-bound senior blazed to a 1:49.79 in December. ... The Southern Section diving championships will be at a new location: Fullerton College, May 11-13.