Buyukuncu’s Swim Goals Brought Him Here From Turkey

Before he shattered a national high school swimming record, Derya Buyukuncu was just a difficult name to pronounce.

Since then, it has rolled off college coaches’ tongues easily and often.

Buyukuncu, a native of Istanbul, Turkey, came to the United States in the summer of 1991 to become a top-notch swimmer, something he felt he couldn’t do against sub-par competition in his homeland.

When he was 13 and defeating second-place finishers by 10 seconds, it dawned on Buyukuncu that he would have to leave Turkey to realize his potential. His club coaches initially balked at their prize pupil leaving, but they eventually warmed to the idea.

“They supported it, because they knew if I stayed in Turkey, I wouldn’t reach my goals,” Buyukuncu said. “But it’s kind of sad, you have to leave your whole life behind.”

The Woodbridge High senior figured that with many of the nation’s finest swimmers training in Southern California, he would be just another fast face in the crowd. He never dreamed he would establish a national standard in the 100-yard backstroke, which he did at the 1993 Southern Section meet, or place first in the 100- and 200-meter back events against a tough field at the U.S. Open late last year.

“U.S. swimmers, they are the best,” he said. “I’m just a Turkish guy. I thought I’d be 20th or 25th, because (Americans are) that good.”

Instead, Buyukuncu, who also swims for the Irvine-based Novaquatics, is good enough to have college recruiters desperately seeking his services.

“I didn’t think I’d get any attention,” he said. “But after the national record, everybody called.”

And he means everybody. So many, that he and his mother decided to change their telephone number--it is now unlisted--when recruiters’ calls became bothersome.

“They’d call and talk and talk and talk,” said Buyukuncu, who has narrowed his choices to Michigan, Stanford and California.

Buyukuncu, an eight-year veteran of the Turkish national team, represented his country in the 1992 Olympics and hopes to compete in the 1994 World Championships and make a more successful bid in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Being a foreign athlete in the United States has been a mixed blessing. While Buyukuncu has improved as he never could have in Turkey, his success hasn’t been without cost.

“I miss my family,” said Buyukuncu, who left his father and an older sister in Istanbul.

It also hit Buyukuncu hard when he was told he would have to sit out the 1992 high school season because he didn’t meet the state’s residency requirements.

“I was shocked when they told me about the rule,” he said. “I didn’t expect it. It’s unfair.”

He also has had to deal with a cool reception from many opponents.

“Some think because I’m not American, I shouldn’t be here,” Buyukuncu said. “It’s nothing they say, it’s the looks I get. They don’t want me to beat them. If I was finishing fifth or sixth, I don’t think they’d mind.”

But he doesn’t mind, as long as he keeps lowering his times. Besides, there are other advantages to living here.

Buyukuncu has found that leaving his country to train here has given him a new appreciation for his native land. “I think I do have more pride now,” he said. “When I go home, I get a lot of attention. It’s kind of like I’m a national hero.”