All-Area Boys Swimming: Sebastian River's Tim Martinelli goes from good to elite

Sebastian River's Tim Martinelli has grown in more ways than one.

Physically, he has developed from a 6-1 freshman into a 6-6 senior with the kind of wing span that attracts attention.

In the pool, he went from just another swimmer to the best in the area.

Last month, Martinelli capped his high school career with third-place finishes in the 100 and 200 freestyle sprints at the Class 2A state championships. He was also part of two relays that placed fifth, helping Sebastian River to a fourth-place team finish.

His performance at state was the best of any Treasure Coast swimmer, and has earned Martinelli the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers' All-Area Boy Swimmer of the Year award.

"I actually exceeded my goals," he said. "At the beginning of the season my goals were 1:42 in the 200 and 46 seconds in the 100.

"I just came in every single practice and worked as hard as I can. In swimming, it helps when you swim year round and I've been a lot more consistent over the past year and a half."

Scott Barlow, who coached Martinelli on a club team before taking over as the Sebastian River coach, has watched him evolve.

"The bottom line is he started from scratch three years ago and this is how far he has advanced," Barlow said. "I knew Tim had some talent two years ago and really started to see some improvement. He grew into his body a little better and got more coordinated."

Martinelli said dropping the grueling 500-yard freestyle for the shorter races was the key.

"He came to me this year and begged to swim the 100 instead of the 500 and he proved himself," Barlow said. "We saw huge drops (in time) out of this kid.

"He really came into his own."

Martinelli saw the 100 as a better path to his first state meet, where he out-touched teammate David Humphrey.

"We are really good friends and I think he is the reason I'm a good swimmer," Martinelli said of Humphrey. "Everyday in practice, it's a battle between us."

SWIMMER OF THE YEAR

Tim Martinelli

Sebastian River senior

State: Third, 200 freestyle, 1:40.91; third, 100 freestyle, 45.90; fifth, 200 free relay, 1:29.13, fifth, 400 free relay, 3:17.27

Regional: Fourth, 200 freestyle, 1:45.73; fourth, 100 freestyle, 47.65; second, 200 free relay (anchor), 1:31.03; fifth, 400 free relay, 3:21.43

District: Second, 200 freestyle, 1:46.51; second, 100 freestyle, 48.95; champion, 200 free relay, 1:33.95; champion, 400 free relay, 3:29.17

Coach Scott Barlow: "Last year, Tim false-started at regionals in the 200 free. He would have been a state finalist, but it didn't pan out. This was his golden opportunity."