Protests Against Mission Viejo Swimmers Denied

Two protests against the Mission Viejo High School boys’ swimming team have been denied by South Coast League principals, San Clemente Principal Jim Krembas said Wednesday.

The protest claimed the Diablos had violated two U.S. Swimming rules during the league final Friday. Southern Section swim meets are conducted under national federation rules.

The protest said Mission Viejo allowed a swimmer to compete after he had been scratched at the coaches’ meeting, then reinstated the following day. Krembas said league principals determined that was not a violation.

Mission Viejo also was accused of sending six swimmers to the starting blocks before a relay. U.S. Swimming rules state that only the four competing swimmers can approach the block, but a league official said the principals ruled the protest should have been made during the meet, not afterward.