East Carolinian

Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: SID

Under the guidance of head coach Rick Kobe, the swimming and diving program has established the highest winning percentage of any varsity sport on campus. Of ECU's 11 varsity sports, swimming may be the most overlooked of the bunch. And for four years, one of ECU's most overlooked athletes has been flying through the waters of Minges Natatorium. Senior swimmer Amanda Duncan has played a major role in adding to one of ECU's most successful programs.

Duncan, a butterfly specialist, soared by her competition this season, going undefeated in the 100-yard butterfly and losing only once in the 200-yard fly during the regular season.

It wasn't until last week's Conference USA Championships in Houston that Duncan registered a loss in the 100. Her school record and NCAA 'B' cut time of 53.67 was beat by SMU's Elzanne Werth, who set a meet and pool record with a time of 52.51. Duncan finished fifth in the 200-fly, but set another school record with a time of 2:00.15.

The Wake Forest native also holds one of the top-two times in the 100-yard backstroke and has been exploding out of the gate since she arrived as a freshman.

"She's been fast from the get-go," said Kobe. "Her 200-fly has really improved. She's always been a great 100-flyer. She's a great sprinter, but her 200 time has really come down."

Duncan was one of 12 Pirate swimmers to earn conference honors in Houston. The women's squad has compiled a 36-7 record since Duncan arrived in 2005. The Pirates have gone 17-2 in the last two seasons.

"I guess we've become more of a team," Duncan said. "We've worked together and the classes have gotten better and better."

Kobe has built the program around landing talented freshman classes, a key in any sport, but especially swimming. But signing in-state kids like Duncan isn't always easy with so many Division I schools in North Carolina to choose from.

Duncan chose ECU, in part, to remain close to home because of a heart condition known as ventricular tachycardia.

Duncan believes her condition prevented her from reaching her full potential at Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, as she made the NCHSAA State Championships cut in only her senior season.

After passing out following a C-USA Championship event during her freshman season, Duncan and her family made the decision that corrective surgery was the best option.

From then on, Duncan has excelled, becoming one of the all-time greats in ECU swimming history -- something that doesn't come with just talent alone.

Continued...

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