SWIMMING JUNIOR NATIONALS WEST : Mission Viejo’s Gilbert Turns Flaw Into Victory

Because he knew his weakness, Ian Gilbert was able to win the 400-meter individual medley Sunday in the National Junior Olympics West at his home pool, the Mission Viejo International Swimming Complex.

In the opening butterfly leg of the 400, Gilbert, of the host Nadadores, was in third place and within striking distance of the leader.

But after the next sequence, the backstroke, Gilbert faded to seventh place 3.8 seconds behind leader Eric Burton of De Anza Cupertino Aquatics.

“Backstroke is not my strong suit,” Gilbert said. “When I turned and saw everyone else ahead of me, I knew I had to work my breaststroke.”

Gradually, Gilbert closed in on Burton.

“I knew he was good in backstroke so I didn’t think I’d be able to catch him on breaststroke,” Gilbert said.

But the 5-foot-6 Gilbert not only caught and passed Burton, he gained enough of a lead to take the suspense out of the final leg, the freestyle.

In recording a time of 4 minutes 31.44 seconds, Gilbert earned a trip to Senior Nationals, Aug. 12-16 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The highlight of the women’s competition was Dee Brown, a 6-foot-3 sprinter from Parkway Swim Club in suburban St. Louis.

Brown, 12, became the youngest champion of the meet by winning the 200 freestyle. Her 2:03.38 broke the NJO West mark of 2:03.41 set by Mission Viejo’s Lisa Jacob last year and qualified her for the Senior Nationals.

Brown finished 2.2 seconds ahead of runner-up Wendy Cuthbert of Plano, Texas.

“That was very special,” Brown said. “I really didn’t think I’d do that. I just wanted to go as fast as I could and not let anyone catch up.”

The daughter of a 6-1 Canadian wrestling champion and a 5-10 volleyball player, Brown believes her height is a blessing. “It gives me a big reach,” she said.

In the men’s 200 freestyle, Doug Humphrey, 18, of Omaha, Neb., pulled away with 40 meters left to win in 1:54.03.

“I just wanted to go with the pack and break away at the end,” Humphrey said. “I like the 200 because it combines speed with distance.”

Humphrey’s strategy worked perfectly, but Swim Omaha Coach Docker Hartfield would not take any credit. “I guess what I like to see is a kid get to know himself,” Hartfield said. “He’s gained a lot of confidence.”