Mike Pelton, a former swim coach at Mission Viejo High School, died of cardiac arrest at the age of 76 in mid-June.
Prior to his death, Pelton had a history of heart disease and a rapid heartbeat.
Pelton led the Mission Viejo boys’ swim team for about 25 years, guiding the Diablos to 20 California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS) championships titles between 1976 and 1999. His impressive run included a 13-year win streak from 1976 to 1988.
At the time of his departure in 2001, Peloton’s 20 career titles tied him with former Bakersfield football coach Dwight Griffith for the state record for most section titles by a coach in one sport. The record has since been broken by Mater Dei boys’ basketball coach Gary McKnight, with 24 section titles.
Pelton came to Mission Viejo High School after being recommended by Mark Schubert, who was at the same time building up the Mission Viejo Nadadores to be one of the most prominent club teams in the country.
Both men coached a number of Olympians, with Pelton’s Olympian alumni including the likes of Brian Goodell, who won gold in the 400 and 1500 freestyle at the 1976 Games.
Troy Roelen, Mission Viejo’s assistant principal of athletics, commented on Pelton’s impact on the pool deck.
“Huge loss for our community,” Roelen told the Orange County Register. “He was the foundation of Mission Viejo swimming.”
Terry Williams, current head coach of the Villa Park High School softball team and a friend of Pelton’s within the world of high school sports, also expressed his admiration for Pelton’s impact.
“Despite the fact we coached different sports, he understood leadership and program building,” Williams said. “He was a legend in Orange County high school athletics and had an impact on so many athletes over the years.”
Peloton’s coaching career was largely influenced by his mother Katharine. A former elementary school teacher, she set 34 FINA Masters world records before her death in 1992 and was named a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 2006.
A resident of Lake Forest in his later years, Pelton is remembered for his extensive impact within the Mission Viejo swimming community.
Many of those high school teams were the greatest ever assembled.