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cavalier profile Tom Barrett Fourth-Year • Swimming Two years ago, when swimmer Tom Barrett left his native Australia to come to the United States and the University of Virginia, he did so because he wanted to compete against the very best. After earning six All-America accolades, three all-conference honors and two ACC event titles (in the 800 and 400 meter freestyle relays), while being a part of two ACC championship teams, Barrett has certainly validated that he can swim and triumph over the best. The choice of Virginia, Barrett said, was made easier because of his relationship with fellow Australian Charlotte Clarke, who is a member of the women's swim team. "Charlotte came six months before I did," Barrett said. "She was really helpful and encouraged me to pursue coming here." Ultimately it was coach Chip Kline that really sold Barrett on making the move to the U.S. and joining the Wahoos. "I talked to a few colleges before I decided to come to get a gauge on what it's like here," Barrett recalled. "Chip Kline, my coach, was very good at staying in contact with me and shepherding me through what the processes were." With no family domestically, Barrett credits Kline with helping him navigate through the transition to a new country and university. "[Kline] really helped ease the process because there were a lot of big decisions to make, especially moving out of the country with me being pretty young and just out of high school." Barrett said Cline has been like a "father figure" to him here in the United States. Having proven his ability to perform against the best, Barrett's ultimate goal is not more individual accolades, but to leave Charlottesville having won three ACC team championships. "It's such a different environment over here swimming with the team whereas back home I was only swimming as an individual," he said. "It great to have a team around you pushing you to higher limits." — Greg Waters ◆ Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVa