YMCA Bethlehem Stars swimmer Adam Barlow became the YMCA’s 100 breaststroke national champion after competing at the national meet in Greensboro, N.C., earlier this month.

Barlow, a sophomore at Liberty High School, swam a winning time of 54.0 in finals after clocking a 53.9 in preliminaries.

“I was elated,” said Stars coach Reik Foust. “I’m happy he realized what he could do. There’s a progression, and he’ll reach a little bit farther next year. I’m just really proud he kept his head on.”

When Coach Foust asked Barlow in September about his goals, Barlow threw the question back at Foust.

Ironically, Foust predicted a 54.0 for Barlow’s breaststroke but quickly changed his hunch to a 53.9.

Barlow agreed. And succeeded.

Also representing the Bethlehem Stars at the YMCA National Swim Meet were Jonah Korpics, Darren Nguyen, and Teddy Shang, who competed with Barlow in the medley relay.

Korpics, Shang, and Barlow went on to swim other individual events at the meet, and Nguyen returned home to fulfill a previous commitment in track and field.