Girls swimming: Hardworking Baranov achieving her goals at Hoffman Estates

It was a record-setting day last Saturday at the Mid Suburban League swim championship meet at Hoffman Estates, and one of the chart-topping marks came from Hawks senior Stephanie Baranov.

Baranov's time of 1:00.74 in the 100-yard backstroke shattered the Hoffman school record of 1:01.19, which had been set in 2013.

The result ignited quite a celebration at the Hawks' natatorium after Baranov touched the wall and the race was over.

"I saw my coach (Adam Longo) jumping up and down by the side of the pool," said Baranov, "and then a couple of my teammates and I just hugged it out. There was a lot of excitement to say the least.

"Honestly, I had come in to the race pretty calm, and less stressed out than in previous races. I wasn't really expecting to break the record, and I was extremely surprised and very relieved."

Chances are Longo has been counting his lucky stars having Baranov as his team captain for two straight years.

This is Longo's second season as girls swimming head coach, and he said he admires Baranov's resourcefulness, as she's had to adjust to three different coaches in her four varsity seasons.

"She is tenacious," said Longo, "and she's willing to work exceptionally hard to achieve her goals. One of her goals was to break that backstroke record, and this young woman arrives early and stays late to make sure everything is up to her expectations."

Baranov, who said that she got into competitive swimming around the age of eight on the advice of her older brother Gregory and a family friend, excels not only in the pool, but in the classroom as well.

She also participates in numerous clubs and organizations at Hoffman, including National Honor Society, Yearbook, Science Club, and BPA (Business Professionals of America, where she specializes in Parliamentary Procedures).

Not to mention also playing on the varsity lacrosse team, and Baranov admits that juggling her busy schedule can get a bit challenging.

That's when she leans on her teammates and teachers.

"We go to libraries together, to cafes to study," said Baranov, who added that her friend and classmate Amy Lam, "helps me to stay on track."

"Having great teachers and great coaches also helps a lot," she added.

As far as her plans after graduation, Baranov said that she is considering either Bowdoin College in Maine, or Hamilton College in upstate New York, where she hopes to swim and major in international relations.

"I just have always liked the East Coast," she said of her possible educational choices. "I'd be going to a location that's kind of new and different, and I'm sure I'll feel comfortable there."

"She has just excelled in her schooling," said Longo, "which (is impressive) considering she competes in two major, non-related sports."

The swimming postseason is still to come for Baranov, where she says she'll be trying to break a couple more school records - in the 200 Individual Medley, and assisting in the 200 Medley Relay.

"I'm focusing now on (improving) some of my weaker strokes in practice instead of concentrating on the backstroke," said Baranov, "and spending more time on the IM."

And whatever the outcome of this season's state series, Longo said that the future looks extremely bright for the swimmer that he says "has been integral in fostering a great atmosphere in the pool for us every day."

"Stephanie actively created a positive environment between the team and the rest of the staff," said Longo. "She organized team get-togethers, and always came up with new ideas, such as team bonding days, team breakfasts, and dress up themes for swim meets."