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VANDALIA — Jamie Barrett made a name for
herself in Wisconsin high school swimming. Now, she wants to do the
same in Ohio. The Vandalia Butler junior claimed the gold in the
200-yard individual medley at the Wisconsin state meet last winter
and helped fuel Arrowhead High School to an unprecedented fifth
consecutive girls state team title. She hopes to add to her medal
collection with the Aviators.
And don’t think that
she has lost her motivation.
"The competition in Ohio is
stronger and faster," Barrett said. "I hope to measure up in the
upcoming championship meets."
Barrett is one of the
swimmers to beat in the 25th annual Southwest Ohio Swimming and
Diving Classic on Saturday and Sunday. She will compete in the 200
IM, 400 IM, 200 backstroke and 100 back. Butler will swim the
preliminaries at Trotwood-Madison. The finals will be held at
Cincinnati St. Xavier’s Keating Natatorium.
One of the unique aspects of
the Classic is it allows swimmers to compete in events not offered
on the regular high school program, like the grueling 400-yard IM.
It is called the decathlon of swimming because it demands endurance
as well as proficiency in all four strokes: butterfly, backstroke,
breaststroke and freestyle.
"Oh, it’s a painful
race, especially at the end," Barrett said. "I try to build up a
lead in the first two legs (fly and back), get a good head start,
and hold on for the last two."
Barrett displays her mettle
in the killer event that belies her humble demeanor. At only
5-foot-3, she is a powderkeg in the water.
"Jamie swims big and is
explosive under the water," said her club coach, Kevin Weldon of
the Dayton Raiders.
"She has an insatiable
desire to compete, has incredible skill and hates to lose.
She’s probably the easiest swimmer I’ve ever had to
coach. She’s internally motivated and mentally
tough."
Concurred Butler coach Greg
Bergman: "There is no arrogance to Jamie, who is very humble even
with all her success. She has that powerful kick. She’s a
versatile swimmer with no weak link or stroke."
Barrett said she benefits
from training with talented Raiders teammates like Sarah Andrews of
Centerville and Taylor Garber of Stebbins. She has made some junior
and senior national cuts and will make a run at Olympic trial cuts
in March.
Last month Barrett competed
in the USA Swimming Short Course Nationals in Atlanta, which
featured Olympians Michael Phelps and Barrett’s idol, Natalie
Coughlin.
Contact this
reporter at (937) 225-2478 or
rjackson@DaytonDailyNews.com
25th Southwest Ohio
High School Swimming and Diving Classic
When: Saturday and Sunday; prelims 8 a.m., finals 7
p.m.
Where: Prelims at Beavercreek YMCA, Countryside
YMCA in Lebanon, Miami University, Mason H.S., Milford H.S. and
Trotwood-Madison H.S.
Finals: Keating Natatorium, Cin. St. Xavier
H.S.
Defending champs: Cincinnati St. Xavier (boys),
Cin. Ursuline (girls); Runner-ups: Beavercreek (boys), Centerville
(girls).
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