SANTA MARGARITA

Coach: Rick Rowland (fourth year).

1996: 10-1, 5-0 in the Sea View League; runner-up at Southern Section Division I finals and finished second to Irvine in league finals.

Key returners: Philippe Demers, Sr.; Andrew Jensen, Jr.; Matt Martin, Sr.; Matt Shipstead, Sr.; Alex Tomescu, Jr.; Frank Uxa , Jr.

Key newcomers: Justin Kroeze , Jr.; Tyler Wilson, Jr.

Outlook: Rowland has done some amazing things with the Eagles in the short time he has been on the campus. Yes, it’s always nice to have one of the nation’s top prep swimmers--Demers--on the squad, but Rowland gets good performances from all his swimmers. Santa Margarita could very well give Irvine a challenge for the league title. The Eagles beat Irvine in a dual meet last season. Look again for Demers to dominate his events (200 freestyle and 100 butterfly) at the Southern Section championships and set a record in the 200 free. But also keep an eye on Martin and Uxa, who each have greatly improved and earned junior national times. The Eagles’ first big test comes April 11, when they compete against Mission Viejo and Foothill in a triangular meet.