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She's Up For Final Laps

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By DAREK SHARP, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 17, 2007

Updated: 10/15/2007 09:22 pm

PLANT CITY - She has spent a bulk of her lifetime in the pool. And when Stephanie Barker's high school swimming career ends, not much is going to change about that.

But for someone who has traveled so many thousands of laps, Barker is hoping the next few dozen are the best.

The Plant City High School senior is ready for her last shot at the state swim meet. Barker has qualified for state in her first three years as a Raider and is expected to be in Orlando, site of this year's championships, Nov. 3.

But she doesn't want to simply make it there.

'I want to finish in the top three,' Barker said. 'I know the swimmers that are going to be there and what time I'll have to hit.'

Recently, Barker completed the 100-meter butterfly in 59.81 seconds, the first female in the Bay area to finish the distance in less than a minute this year. But Barker said the state-championship time will be closer to 56 seconds. Her effort in last year's finals race was a 58.60.

Barker's best state finish came as a freshman, when she was sixth in the 100 fly with a 57.79 time. In her sophomore and junior years Barker made the final race but came in eighth.

There's more on the line this time than just personal triumph, however.

'I definitely feel more pressure to perform well at state. There will be a lot of college coaches looking,' she said.

With her abilities and good grades, it is likely Barker will secure a college scholarship for swimming. But she is hoping to get accepted into one of the top programs. The University of Florida women's team finished seventh in the nation last year. Florida State and Miami were among the top 20.

Barker has visited several out-of-state schools but is planning to stay in Florida.

Thursday morning, Barker will be swimming with her Raider teammates at the District 3A-4 meet. The action starts at 9 a.m. at the Bobby Hicks Pool, next to Robinson High School.

Anna Palermo is expected to join Barker in advancing to the regional meet and perhaps further. Her specialty is the 100-meter breast stroke.

'Anna had a hamstring injury earlier this season but has bounced back very well,' Raider coach Bree Castelli said. 'We're hoping she makes it to State this year.'

A breakthrough member of the boys team is Nikita Markov, who is a candidate for the state meet in both the 50- and 100-meter freestyle events. Blair Butler is having a great season in the distance events.

The top finishers at the district meets from across the area will qualify for the Region 3 meet Oct. 27 at the Sarasota YMCA.

Barker is hoping a painful addition to her training regimen will pay off. At her swim club near the University of Tampa, the Greater Tampa Swimming Association, Barker decided to get more serious this summer.

'I began lifting weights, which I had never done before,' she said. 'I felt the difference right away because after two days I was so sore I couldn't move. I guess I had thought, 'Hey, I'm tall, I'm strong, I'm in shape' but that trainer kicked my butt.'

The months of extra work have resulted in greater strength and less falling off toward the end of races, she said.

Barker's older sister, Emily, was a standout at Plant City before her. Stephanie Barker credits Emily for her interest in swimming.

'I would always follow her to swim practice at the old Plant City YMCA,' Stephanie said. 'When I was 3 or 4, my mom Mary Barker would let me walk up and down the pool watching her as she swam. I was jealous. I just wanted to jump in.'

With little Stephanie begging for special permission, her mother was able to get her into the pool. By the age of 8, Barker was convinced swimming was something she should pursue to its fullest.

Perhaps reflecting a bit on those times, the impending end to her high school career is on Barker's mind. Not usually the emotional type, she admits to the occasional misty eye when thinking about it.

'My dad Bill Barker said it to me the other day, that 'Hey, this is it' coming up,' she said. 'And yeah, it hit me.'

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampa trib.com.

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