How Isaac Barton, Freeport High sophomore, became one of the youngest swimmers in US Paralympic Trials
FREEPORT — Isaac Barton admits to feeling tired. Swimming for three hours a day, five to six days a week would make anyone feel that way.
This 15-year-old doesn’t mind the trade-off.
“I like the exercise and competing against myself,” Isaac said.
Coming off his freshman season on the Freeport High School swim team and a member of the Fox Chapel Killer Whales club team for years, Isaac has qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Trials — the equivalent of the Olympic Trials for athletes with disabilities. The Paralympic Trials take place Wednesday through Sunday in Minneapolis.
Isaac has hypotonia, a condition that causes low muscle tone and slows the development of motor skills. He is visually impaired as well.
“He’s been swimming since he was 6 or 7,” Jessica Barton, Isaac’s mother, said. “He feels comfortable in the water. He’s determined to do the best he can.”
Isaac’s Paralympic Trial-qualifying time in the 50-yard freestyle is 31.7 seconds. His best time in the 100 free is 1 minute, 9.23 seconds.
He is one of the youngest nationwide to qualify for the Paralympic Trials, the event that determines the United States team for the Paralympic Games in Paris, France, later this summer.
“There’s another 15-year-old and I believe three 14-year-olds that qualified,” Mrs. Barton said. “We’re proud of what he’s been able to do. This is a major accomplishment, and I know it was a goal of his.”
Cindy Woods has been coaching Isaac with the Fox Chapel Killer Whales — a year-round club swim team — for three years.
“I’ve got 230 kids on the team, 50 in his age group, and they all respect Isaac so much,” Woods said. “The team is planning a big send-off for him. Everybody is so happy he’s going to Minneapolis. This is an achievement that boy has worked hard for.
“He’s the only child I have in the program with a disability. You wouldn’t know it by watching him practice or work out with the other kids. He does every drill that everybody else does. He doesn’t want any special treatment.
“I am super-excited for him, so proud of him,” Woods added.
Woods said Isaac serves as motivation for other kids on the Fox Chapel team.
“No one has any excuses for not swimming hard and working hard in practice after watching Isaac,” the coach said. “Even though this is such a big positive for him, he doesn’t brag about himself. He’s not a ‘hey, look at me’ type of kid.
“Isaac is big on accountability with everything he does. He has a tremendous attitude toward life.”
That attitude is taking him somewhere he never expected to go.
“Yeah, this is a big surprise,” Isaac said of making the Paralympic Trials. “I do get tired. But all of this ... it’s very encouraging.”
