Jacoba’s Debut a Big Hit With 10th-Ranked Mission Viejo

Alejandro Jacoba competed in his first swim meet for Mission Viejo Tuesday, and the junior made quite a splash, leading the 10th-ranked Diablos to a 101-69 victory over No. 8 San Clemente in a South Coast League meet at Mission Viejo.

Jacoba, who returned Sunday after competing in the Mexican national championships, where he placed first in the 100-meter breaststroke and second in the 200, received his eligibility to compete for the Diablos on Tuesday. Jacoba, a native of Mexico, enrolled at Mission Viejo last April and had to wait a year before competing.

His eligibility couldn’t have come at a better time. The Diablos were coming off an eight-point loss to No. 3 Capistrano Valley and a six-point loss to No. 9 El Toro. Jacoba’s emergence has given Coach Mike Pelton reason to be optimistic for next week’s league finals.

Jacoba posted what is technically the fastest time in the county in the 100-yard breaststroke, winning in 59.70 seconds. His older brother Alfredo, who is also trying to get his eligibility, competed on the junior varsity squad and swam a 58.44. Alfredo, who competed for Mexico in the Sydney Olympics, hopes to be able to compete by league finals.

Alejandro also won the 200 individual medley in 2:00.66, one of the county’s best times and he anchored both of the winning 200- and 400-freestyle relays. Alfredo swam a 2:00.22 in the individual medley.

The Diablos trailed, 32-30, going into the 100 freestyle, but a victory by Chris French (50.36), coupled with second- and fourth-place finishes by Lee Muse and Kyle McKnight, gave them the lead for good.