Harrelson Breaks 17-Year-Old Mark

Mike Harrelson has felt frustrated at times this year. On Friday at the Sunset League boys’ swim finals, however, the Los Alamitos senior cleared up any doubt about his ability.

Harrelson broke a 17-year-old league record in the 200 individual medley and also won the 100 breaststroke at Golden West College, He also was named the Sunset League boys’ swimmer of the year.

Considering that he did not swim during his junior year because of shoulder surgery, Friday’s performance bordered on spectacular.

“There was a time when I was feeling pretty down,” Harrelson said after breaking former Olympian John Moffet’s 1981 Sunset League record. “I felt like my future in swimming was over and there was nothing left for me. But I made the decision I had to come back, so I kicked myself and got myself going and stopped feeling sorry for myself.”

Harrelson’s time in the event, 1 minute 53.38, broke Moffet’s time by four-tenths of a second. His winning time in the breaststroke, 57.88, missed Moffet’s 1981 record by less then a half-second.

“I have nothing to complain about,” Harrelson said. “I’ve only been working out with my high school team. I don’t even belong to a club anymore. I’m really looking forward to the Southern Section finals next week. I’m kind of anxious to see how I do.”

Harrelson’s victories, and teammate John Hanna’s victory in the 500 freestyle (4:45.93), helped Los Alamitos finish third.

Defending champion Marina and Fountain Valley finished as co-champions.

Marina’s Jeff Larson won two events, the 200 freestyle (1:44.91) and the 100 butterfly (51.86). Jimmy McDonald was the other double winner for Marina, winning the 50 (21.52) and the 100 (48.69) freestyles.