Buyukuncu Sets Backstroke Record

Turkish-born Derya Buyukuncu, considered the top swimmer in the Southern Section this season, broke the section record in the 100-yard backstroke during Division I preliminary competition Thursday at the Belmont Plaza Pool.

Buyukuncu, a junior at Woodbridge High, set the mark at 49.51 seconds, eclipsing the 49.62 of Agoura’s Jason Steele in 1991.

Buyukuncu’s time betters his Southern California 15-16 age-group mark of 49.93, set in 1992. The national 15-16 record is 48.93, set by Florida’s Derek Weatherford in 1989.

Buyukuncu, who reached the consolation finals in the backstroke while competing for Turkey in last summer’s Olympics, was ruled ineligible for the section championships last year because he hadn’t met residential criteria.

He also turned in the division’s top time in the 200 individual medley (1:54.09) Thursday.