{"id":360025,"date":"2019-03-23T11:41:10","date_gmt":"2019-03-23T18:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=360025"},"modified":"2019-03-24T18:33:52","modified_gmt":"2019-03-25T01:33:52","slug":"eastern-michigans-delaney-duncan-stuns-with-ncaa-runner-up-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/eastern-michigans-delaney-duncan-stuns-with-ncaa-runner-up-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Eastern Michigan’s Delaney Duncan Stuns With NCAA Runner-Up Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Delaney Duncan<\/strong> finished fourth at last year\u2019s NCAA Championships, it was a big deal for the Mid-American Conference and mid-majors across the country.<\/p>\n

But the Eastern Michigan swimmer wasn\u2019t finished.<\/p>\n

Duncan stunningly surged to second place (57.83) behind Indiana\u2019s Lilly King<\/strong>, who set the American record (55.73) in the 100 breast on Friday, finishing her career by reaching a multitude of goals.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore determination and more focus. Going from sophomore to junior year, I kind of had a chip on my shoulder. This year, I was a lot more confident in myself,\u201d Duncan said. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoing into this year, after getting fourth at NCAAs, my goal was to make top three and go a 57. I had a really good morning swim. Going into finals, I am a senior, so it was my last 100 breast. I wanted to put everything in the water and say I left it all in the pool. I can proudly say I did that.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It took a while for Duncan to wrap her head around it, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brain just didn\u2019t register what I was looking at. Then I saw 57 and turned and looked at my coach and started crying,\u201d she said. \u201cI was a senior and I am done. I have worked so hard \u2014 so, so hard. I am so proud of everything I accomplished. I didn\u2019t think I would be emotional, but I was trying to hold back the tears and smile and get a good picture. I didn\u2019t think I would be that emotional.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last year, especially the past few months, had so many obstacles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"delaney-duncan-ncaa-eastern-michigan\"

Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona<\/p><\/div>\n

The first was a freak injury that happened while flying to Eastern Michigan\u2019s training trip.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the way down to training trip, I acquired a foot injury on the flight. My foot swelled and the top of my foot rubbed against my shoe funny,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t kick breaststroke for a month. I was in a boot for two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The obstacles got even scarier.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen two weeks before the conference meet, I was walking on campus and got hit by a car. A lady ran a red light,\u201d Duncan said.<\/p>\n

Somehow in a pedestrian vs. vehicle crash, Duncan escaped with just a deep bruise. It could have been a lot worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI missed a couple practices and had a bruise. Luckily it was just a big bruise on the inside of my knee,\u201d she said. \u201cBut it was more traumatic than anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

With all of those factors stacked against her, Duncan had the motivation to overcome everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stayed focused and kept my head high and kept going \u2014\u00a0and it all paid off. It is so surreal \u2014 second place,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Second place behind the best breaststroker in U.S. history \u2014\u00a0not a bad way to end a stellar career, proving that mid-majors can make it on the big stage, and that Duncan belongs with the best.<\/p>\n