IRVINE

Coach: Scott Hinman (23rd year).

1996: 9-0, 5-0 in the Sea View League; finished runner-up to Ventura Buena at Southern Section Division I finals.

Key returners: Amy Aldinger, Sr.; Amanda Beard, So.; Alexis Hansen, So.; Morgan Hoestery, So.; Nicole Huszcz, So.; Hammy Kim, So.; Heidi Kraus, So.; Lana Kraus, Sr.; Erin Lezak, So.; Romina Mosquera, So.; Jaime Pack, Sr.; Erin Rollins, Sr.; Erin Zehnter, So.

Key newcomers: Kristina Peterson, Fr.; Lindsay Stevens, Fr.

Outlook: How good is Irvine? Very good. And the bulk of the team is made up of sophomores and freshmen, so the Vaqueros will be a force for some time. For Irvine this year, it’s not a question about whether the Vaqueros will win league, rather it’s a question about winning the Southern Section Division I finals, which has never been done by an Irvine girls’ team. Besides Olympic medalist Beard, who has a virtual lock on the breaststroke, Irvine is loaded at every stroke and should dominate the relays. The sophomores rule on this team, especially Heidi Kraus, Hoestery, Zehnter and Lezak.