1996 BOYS’ SWIMMING AND DIVING PREVIEW : SIX TEAMS TO WATCH : MARINA

Coach: John Wright (10th year).

1995: 8-1, 5-0 in the Sunset League; finished first in Sunset League and third at Southern Section Division I.

Key returners: Lance Banuk, Sr.; Jason Box, Jr.; Ben Halliday, Jr.; Cris Harkleroad, Sr.; Stever O’Rourke , Sr.; Chris Peters, Sr.; Darin Smith, Jr.

Key newcomers: Drew Balandis, Sr.; Jeff Larson, Fr.

Outlook: Wright will be the first to admit this year’s team is not the strongest he has had. And for the first time in a long time, he fears the Vikings might have to battle with Los Alamitos for the Sunset League championship. Nevertheless, county coaches still picked Marina as a power. Although the Vikings have lost some top performers such as Division I champion Blaine Morgan, who is at SMU, Erik Larson and Dan Kramer, there still is plenty of talent. Led by distance swimmer O’Rourke, who was a finalist in the 500-yard freestyle at Division I finals, and freestyle specialist Banuk, Marina also will be counting on young talent, such as Larson, who Wright said will be swimming all events.