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Second-best not bad for Baker
By CAREY FREEMAN INVERNESS -- The official record will tell you that Jimmy Baker came up short in his chase for a state title -- .46 seconds to be precise. But, in this case, the official record is not as complete as you might think. When you give up more than 6 inches to your nearest competitor and come from Citrus County, second place feels a heck of a lot like first in meets dominated by private-school powerhouses. Just ask Citrus High's Baker, whose second-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle at this year's Class 2A state championships defies the theory that little guys -- and those from small, public-school programs -- can't succeed. It also helped earn him the honor of 2001 Times Citrus-Hernando Swimmer of the Year. "I didn't even think I could make that a goal when I was younger," said Baker, who is 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds. "I've never had this type of feeling before," he said. "I've never been so close to first in a big championship. This is as good as first place in my mind." Baker prevailed despite a number of challenges, including his size and the fact that most of his competitors swim for top-notch, year-round club teams. That includes state champ Matthew Coan of five-time defending champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. He was the only swimmer to defeat Baker in the 50 free this season. "When you get to that level, it's hard to imagine what separates the top eight from the next eight," Citrus coach Frank Bachteler said. "It could be a hundredth of a second, and you and I can't start and stop a stopwatch that fast. "With Jimmy, it's pure effort and work. He'll be ahead going into a turn and, because of body strength and size, he'll be behind after the turn. And, yet, he'll make it up. "That's what he did at state," Bachteler said. "He made up everything but a hand." Baker finished ninth last year by winning the consolation final, so this season he hoped for better. But few could have predicted this. Baker's performance in the 50 free is the best in county history at a state meet, topping the third-place efforts by Lecanto's Matt Hampton (50 free and 100 butterfly) in 1996. Baker went undefeated through the regular season and district and admits he was a little shocked when he realized he was seeded just behind Coan in the No. 2 spot for the state meet. "That was a little unbelievable," Baker said. "I'm normally the underdog, and I'm usually the one trying to go after the top swimmers." Baker's workout habits allowed him to reach that level, but no one can do it on work alone. He was looking for an environment where he would be pushed. Baker needed a place to practice on a year-round basis and a competitive atmosphere that could push him to even faster times. That's where the newly founded Citrus Hilltoppers program, started by Bachteler, came into play. "That was one major factor," Baker said. "I'd normally be swimming in the recreational program. Since we got the competitive team, I've been able to concentrate on competing. I'm training different, and I have a different mindset."
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