At what age did you start swimming and how did you get into the sport?
I started swimming at age 7 when I moved to Texas and joined our neighborhood summer team. I enjoyed the sport and wanted to get better so I started swimming competitively when I was 9.
What routines do you practice before a big race to help you focus and stay ready?
I take a deep breath and smile every time I step up behind the blocks.
What sport would you play if you did not swim and why?
I would play basketball because I loved playing it when I was younger and am a big fan.
What advice would you give to young athletes who are just starting out in swimming?
Focus on the details, be consistent, prioritize being a good teammate and never stop having fun with it.
Who is a role model in your life that pushed you to be better in and out of the pool?
My brother, Coleman, was a huge role model and inspiration to me growing up.
Why did you choose the University of Kansas?
I chose Kansas because of the outstanding resources and culture within the team, athletic department and university. I knew Kansas would be somewhere I would be set up to succeed academically, athletically and in life after college.
Top Collegiate Times
Time
Event
Date
Meet
1:51.48
200 Y Free
2/22/2023
Big 12 Championship
4:52.01
500 Y Free
11/19/2021
Kansas Classic
10:19.39
1000 Y Free
11/5/2021
Nebraska
17:04.16
1650 Y Fly
11/19/2021
Kansas Classic
57.90
100 Y Back
3/1/2024
Big 12 Championship
1:57.75
200 Y Back
2/23/2022
Big 12 Championship
2:06.30
200 Y IM
12/2/2023
Rockhurst
4:23.87
400 Y IM
2/23/2022
Big 12 Championship
2024-25 (Senior)Â
CSC Academic All-District
Academic All-Big 12 Team
Placed third in the 200 IM (2:09.01) at the Illinois Dual
Won the 200 IM (2:07.35) against South Dakota
Won the 1000 free (10:31.48) against Rockhurst on Dec. 7
Finished third in the 1000 free (10:28.06) at Arkansas on Jan. 24
2023-24Â (Junior)Â
First Team Academic All-Big 12
Finished second in the 200-yard freestyle (1:57.57) and the 500-yard freestyle (5:10.17) at the Sunflower Showdown on Oct. 6.
Earned a career best in the 100-yard backstroke at the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championship on Feb. 27 with a time of 57.90.
Second best time on the KU squad in the 500-yard freestyle at 5:01.69 which she swam at the Mizzou Invitational on Nov. 15, 2023.
Named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
2022-23 (Sophomore)
Named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team.
Placed first in the 500-yard freestyle at the Sunflower Showdown on Sep. 30th.
Placed first in the 500-yard freestyle at the Lindenwood/South Dakota Dual Meet on Oct. 21st.
2021-22 (Freshman)
Named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team.
Made collegiate debut at the Sunflower Showdown in Topeka, Kan., where she set a personal best time of 2:07.90 in the 200-yard individual medley event.
Placed second in the 500-yard freestyle event at the Kansas Classic on Nov. 19th.
 Recorded the lowest time for Kansas in both the 1,000-yard freestyle, with a time of 10:19.39, and the 1,650-yard freestyle, with a time of 17:04.16.
Notched two second-place finishes at the Kansas Classic, in the 500-yard freestyle and the 1,650-yard freestyle events.
High SchoolÂ
Addison Barnes will stay in her home state of Kansas by signing with the Jayhawks, after a strong high school career at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park, Kansas.
Barnes was the 2019 Kansas 6A champion in the 200 individual medley (2:04.84) and 500 freestyle (4:58.81) and anchored the runner-up 200 freestyle relay (24.07) and placed fourth in the 400 freestyle relay (51.93).
Personal
Daughter of Scott and Pam Barnes
Has one older brother, Coleman
Father, Scott received his Master’s degree from KU
Exercise Science major
Completed an internship for KU Leads in Summer 2024.