Duran travels to China for daughter’s Olympic debut

Janie Duran, office manager for the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center, is packing her bags for a trip to Beijing, China, where she will watch her daughter Andrea, 24, compete for the pinnacle of women’s softball achievement - Olympic gold.

 

Andrea was a softball standout at Selma High School, where her uniform number 2 has been retired. The third-baseman played softball for UCLA and was instrumental in the team’s 2003 and 2004 College World Series victories. Her senior season she led the team in batting average, hits, triples and runs batted in. Andrea graduated with a degree in sociology in 2007.

 

“It’s been very exciting for our family,” said Janie Duran, who checks in with her daughter daily. “We’ve been traveling the country and the world is going through this experience with her.”

 

Andrea and the rest of the 2008 USA Women’s Softball Olympic Team have spent the summer on a 60-city bus tour playing exhibition games with all-star teams all over the United States in preparation for the Olympic competition.

 

Duran says she doesn’t worry about her daughter playing under pressure as the team strives to defend three consecutive women’s softball Olympic gold medals.

 

“She has played at this level before. Plus, she’s very good academically. She’s learned how to handle the pressure,” Duran said. –  Jeannette Warnert

 

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