Section Rules Swimmer From Turkey Ineligible

Derya Buyukuncu, a sophomore swimmer at Woodbridge High School, has been ruled ineligible, Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas said Wednesday.

Southern Section officials ruled that Buyukuncu did not meet transfer requirements.

Woodbridge might have to forfeit three dual-meet swim victories. Athletic Director Dave Cowan said school officials were re-scoring all the meets in which Buyukuncu competed.

Buyukuncu, who will compete for the Turkish Olympic team this summer,and his mother moved to Irvine from Turkey in August. He came to the United States to train with the Irvine Novaquatics, a club team, and enrolled at Woodbridge High School.

However, his father still lives in Turkey.

“He and his mother live here, but because his father stayed in Turkey, they (the Southern Section) said that it was not a residential change,” Cowan said.

Buyukuncu was considered a favorite in the section Division 4-A 100-yard backstroke. He will compete at the Olympics in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke.

--CHRIS FOSTER