“It’s about time.”
Since 1993, the school’s 100 breaststroke record has belonged to local physician Dr. Peter Bigler. As time passed, other records have been shattered year after year, but Bigler’s time of 1:05:58 for the 100 breaststroke remained the top time for over 30 years.
Last season, the record was threatened by then sophomore Aaron Barker. Bigler was in the stands, believing that Barker would break his record, but Barker was just a few seconds short. Bigler used the opportunity to talk to the swim team and coach a little here and there, but his record, the longest in swim team history, remained.
As the new season approached, Barker trained hard for his junior year. When the loud whistle blew across the pool, Aaron made history as screams of his peers cheered him on. A time of 1:04:18 showed on the clock on Nov. 21, making Barker the new record holder.
“It felt so good to finally beat this record after so many years,” Barker said. “Finally being able to beat it was such a rewarding feeling since all my effort wasn’t to waste.”
Bigler celebrated with Barker and the team.
“It is great to see the record broken,” he said in a post on X. “I never thought it would last this long. These great athletes and the community deserve their own natatorium.”
Breaking the record has been Barker’s goal since joining the high school team. Breaking it took years of practice and a lot of dedication.
“He’s been chasing this for 3 years, and tonight he made it happen,” Aaron’s mom Kim Barker said. “Peter knew he was chasing it, and has come to see the Aquakats swim several times over the years. Aaron called him after he got out of the pool and told him and Peter was so gracious and told him he was proud of and excited for him.”
The very next day, the unthinkable happened, as the record that everyone thought would be everlasting was broken as Barker broke his own record.
“I kinda knew that I was gonna break it again at finals the next day,” Baker said. “Hopefully I can continue to break it for the rest of the season and maybe have a record that stands for years.”
Being able to be known as a record-holder is a big accomplishment. Barker’s coaches hope to bring more practice and effort into his swimming capabilities to bring his career to the next level.
“I hope over the next two years I can represent Willis in the state finals,” Barker said. “Then hopefully after high school, I can continue swimming for a college team.”
Meet after meet improvements happen and swimmer always hope for PRs, with the coaches always helping out where they can.
“I was really granted good opportunities just with the people they placed around me,” Barker said. “Especially having a coach that supports me as much as Coach Kristi (Brown) does.”
