ALL IN THE FAMILY BISTRIC FOLLOWING IN BROTHER'S FOOTSTEPS.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

LONG BEACH - Goran Bistric broke his family's personal-best time in the 100 butterfly, swimming a faster pace than older brother Igor, a 2002 Hart High graduate.

Beating his brother's time by a hair - at the Southern Section Div. I prelims Wednesday at Belmont Plaza, no less - was reason to crow about holding family bragging rights. But Goran was at his coolest.

``I only beat him by a (tenth of a second). If it was by, like, three seconds, it would have been pretty cool,'' said Bistric, a sophomore who swam alongside Igor for Hart's Southern Section Div. II championship team last season.

Igor Bistric, now attending UC Santa Barbara, was a relentless worker. Despite not starting to swim until age 12, he developed into a Hart standout. Goran has the potential to surpass his brother's accolades, considering he was 8 when their parents enrolled them in the Canyons Aquatic Club.

``He's always been the more cooperative one,'' Goran said of Igor. ``I'm the more stubborn one. Don't tell me, I'll just do it. I figured it's just swimming and if I go fast, then I'll go fast. But no one is going to make me do what I don't want to do.''

But Goran Bistric is a rising star in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke. He might not have been considered among the elite had it not been for his unofficial ``coach,'' who happens to be Igor.

``He wants me to beat his best times. It's just motivation. It's not the motivation of him saying, `You can do it,' '' said Goran, whose family came to the United States from their native Croatia when he was 3. ``It's always been to go out there and have fun. That's the best thing to do. I shouldn't go out there and stress.''

After his freshman season ended in disappointment - his goggles broke off the blocks during his butterfly heat - Goran Bistric didn't brood. Instead, he looked ahead.

Igor will be at Belmont Plaza today to watch Goran swim in the Div. I consolation finals. Their parents, Rada and Milenko, are quiet cheerleaders when watching the boys swim. But Igor will be there to encourage Goran.

``They also say to have fun. That's the best thing that they taught Iggy, and he taught me,'' Goran said. ``They always said don't do anything if it's not fun.''

Hart boys' coach Steve Neale is happy there's a Bistric in the water at Hart. Igor's ability to be his brother's teacher rubbed off on Goran, who despite being an underclassmen is a popular reference source.

``The other kids will look to him for stroke help,'' Neale said. ``They'll say, `I'm going to ask Goran.' He'll help them with the butterfly. That's wonderful for me because I have a kid who's in the water who can demonstrate, which sometimes a coach does do.

``I think he really enjoys high school swimming. He is an individually motivated swimmer.''

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Hart's Goran Bistric could become even better than his brother, former Hart standout Igor Bistric, by the time he's through.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer