SWIMMING JUNIOR NATIONALS WEST : Durfee Trims Seven Seconds Off Her Previous Best Time

A Junior Olympic record, a berth in the 1992 Olympic trials, and her first senior nationals qualifying time--it was all too much for Amy Durfee in the National Junior Olympics West meet Saturday at the Mission Viejo International Swimming Complex.

“The whole thing hasn’t hit me yet, I’m still up here,” Durfee said, pointing to the sky.

With a confidence beyond her years, the 14-year-old from Bend, Ore., took the lead in the 200-meter breaststroke from the moment she hit the water.

At the halfway point, Durfee turned a full second faster than her best 100 time. She finished with a time of 2 minutes 36.22 seconds, breaking the 2:36.71 set by Jennifer Cohen of Lake Forest, Ill., last year.

Durfee credited her coach, Mark Bernett, with helping her take an incredible seven seconds off her best time. “I had a weak kick,” Durfee said. “He helped me feel my stroke and learn to relax and be strong and confident about myself.”

In the men’s 200 butterfly, Daizo Mitsuoka edged his Industry Hills Aquatics teammate Jeff Julian for the title. Mitsuoka, 17, touched in 2:04.15 and earned a berth in the senior nationals, Aug. 12-16 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Julian followed in 2:04.98.

“I wanted to relax the first 100 because last year I had a bad experience,” said Mitsuoka, who was fourth in 1990. “I went out too fast and died in the last 50.”

This time, instead of breathing every other stroke, Mitsuoka varied the pattern and it made a difference.

In the closest race of the meet, Chris Eckerman of Waukee, Iowa, touched out Sean Galegher of Woodlands, Tex., 52.39-52.44 in the 100 freestyle.

Eckerman was in control with 10 meters remaining, but Galegher surged slightly ahead, only to have Eckerman beat him to the wall.

Eckerman had returned to training in May after mononucleosis kept him in bed for almost two months,

“I was kind of scared,” Eckerman said. “Mentally and physically I wasn’t sure I could win.”