Barry Remains Top Dog

In high school swimming, the training doesn't begin when the season starts. In reality, it never stops, at least for the truly elite.

It starts as far back as elementary school, in the far more competitive and intense world of year-round club swimming, where the overwhelming majority of top prep swimmers gain experience that allow them to excel the moment they join a high school team.

Dan Barry is no exception. Years before he swam for Springstead High, he began his swimming career. The brother of former standouts Matt and Sarah Barry, he came to the Eagles with high expectations.

He hasn't disappointed, reaching the Class 2A Florida High School Athletic Association state meet three straight seasons.

But his 2007 junior campaign was a little different. He no longer swims year-round, mostly because of a lack of local club teams.

So that the 17-year-old son of Spring Hill's Mark and Laura Barry - the middle child of five - dominated the county and advanced to states in two events? That impressed the county's coaches more than enough to unanimously make him a three-time Hernando Today Male Swimmer of the Year.

"It's a nice accomplishment to have it three years in a row, especially since I haven't been swimming as much in the past year and even my sophomore year," Barry said. "So to do as well despite swimming less, it gives me a little bit of pride."

No finals

The biggest difference was that Barry didn't make it to the state finals as he had in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly in 2006.

That year he finished seventh in the 100-fly (53.39) and eighth in the 50-free (22.86). Last season he came in ninth in the 100-fly, despite a faster time of 53.21, and 13th in the 200-yard IM (2:03.88).

As a freshman he made it to states in the 200-IM and finished 14th (2:05.35).

He paced the county in both those events, his state time in the 100-fly marking a season high. He had a best of 2:02.97 in the 200-IM.

"My endurance hasn't been as high," Barry said. "I haven't been swimming many yards in practice, going to practice as much. My times weren't as fast as they could have been. I wasn't at my full potential.

"...The fact I haven't been swimming as much, to still make it to states and place in the top 16, I'm proud of that and I'm proud of my coaches to help me do what I could."

Andrew Smith, who will not return this upcoming season, served as Springstead head coach in 2007. He marked Barry's third prep coach in as many years.

"It was almost like I'd take a break from coaching the team to coach Dan," Smith said. "His stroke is almost flawless. There are a few minor things you can really only see if you're watching him under water.

"It's nice to deal with something specific rather than teach someone how to swim at the same time. I think it was the best of both worlds. I really enjoyed teaching the kids how to swim competitively and I enjoyed working with Dan on improving on what he already had."

What did the coach feel allowed Barry to still compete at a high level?

"He's been doing it forever," Smith said. "The vast majority of his life he's been swimming. He's developed in the pool, he practically has gills. He's got everything, all the mechanics he's got down. It makes it easier for him to jump in the pool and be better than everyone around him.

"And his attitude, too. When it comes to competing he's very focused."

What's next?

Entering his senior season, Barry will attempt to become the first four-time state qualifier in his family.

Both his older siblings made it three times, but Matt Barry did not compete in high school swimming as a sophomore, and an ill Sarah Barry just missed advancing out of regionals as a senior.

However, he has done very little swimming since last season, mostly just lifting weights at the Hernando County Family YMCA. There are no club teams operating nearby, and high gas prices have made commuting too difficult.

"I understand I'm coming off a big break," Barry said. "But I just want to enjoy my senior year. Even though I might not be at my highest potential, I want to try as hard as I can and see what I can come out with.

"...I've just got to get my endurance back up and just go and practice everyday, not slack off and skip any days. If I do that, I think I can get some good times."

BY-THE-NUMBERS: DAN BARRY

2005 Hernando County Athletic Conference champion: 200-yard IM (2:13.22)

2005 Hernando County Athletic Conference champion: 100-yard freestyle (52.20)

2005 Class 2A, District 5 champion: 200-yard IM (2:09.29)

2005 Class 2A state qualifier: 200-yard IM (14th place, 2:05.35)

2005 Hernando County Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year

2005 Hernando Today Swimmer of the Year

2006 Hernando County Athletic Conference champion: 100-yard butterfly (56.81)

2006 Hernando County Athletic Conference champion: 100-yard breaststroke (1:11.62)

2006 Class 2A, District 5 champion: 50-yard freestyle (23.16)

2006 Class 2A, District 5 champion: 100-yard butterfly (53.35)

2006 Class 2A, Region II champion: 50-yard freestyle (22.53)