Olympian Rouse Beats Buyukuncu

Though only five races were scheduled for the final day of the Swim Meet of Champions on Sunday, the race was the men’s 100-meter backstroke.

The race featured Jeff Rouse, the world record holder in the event, and Turkish swimming star Derya Buyukuncu, who beat Rouse on Friday in the 200 backstroke at the Marguerite Aquatic Complex.

Through the first 50 meters, the two were neck and neck. But Rouse took the lead after the 50-meter turn and the 1992 Olympic silver medalist was able to hold off Buyukuncu’s charge and win in 56.24 seconds, just .52 seconds faster than Buyukuncu.

“That’s why he’s the world record holder,” Buyukuncu said.

Rouse, who is preparing for the U.S. nationals in August, anticipates more battles with the 17-year-old Buyukuncu.

In the 100 breaststroke, Santa Ana sophomore Amber Wines swam a personal-best 1:13.90 to win. Wines, representing Los Caballeros Swim Club, will be participating in the Janet Evans Invitational at USC next month and then in nationals.

Jon Cleveland of University of Calgary won the men’s 100 breaststroke in 1:04.18.

Janet Evans showed once again why she dominates the women’s 1,500 freestyle, easily winning in 16:21.06. At one point, Evans, who holds the world record in the event and representing the Trojan Swim Club, lapped the field. Katie Brambley of Island Swim Club, finished second more than a minute behind Evans.

Evans, who will be swimming next month at the Santa Clara meet, said she is right where she wants to be in her training. And though the 1,500 freestyle will not be an event this summer at Nationals, she said she likes to swim it because it gives her a good workout.

Chad Carvin, formerly of Laguna Hills who now swims for Arizona, was the winner in the 1,500 freestyle. Ryan Cox of Mission Viejo, was second in 16:09.89.

In the men’s 100 butterfly, Mark Henderson of Curl-Burke Swim Club, defeated Ugur Tanner of Chinook, posting a time of 55.98. In the women’s event, Misty Hyman, 15, won in 1:02.12.

Jennifer Parmenter, 13, of Canyon, finished two seconds ahead of Jennifer Hommert of Duke City in the 200 individual medley. Her winning time of 2:21.80 was well below a senior national time. Curtis Myden of Calgary, won the men’s event in 2:05.98.

In the men’s 400 medley relay, Calgary led throughout to win in 3:50.76.

Stanford won the women’s 400 medley relay in 4:28.28.

Overall, Stanford won the women’s competition with 367 points, followed by the Trojan Swim Club (362) and Mission Viejo (362.5).

Calgary won the men’s competition with 453 points, followed by Mission Viejo (443) and Stanford (359).