No swimmer from the Bulldogs program accomplished more over a four-year career than Dunton, who qualified for the 2009 state meet in both the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard butterfly events.
But, it is Dunton’s willingness to help his teammates that makes him a special athlete, Coach LouAnn Abbott said.
“Randy has always been a team player. He will swim whatever is asked of him, and he is always working with other swimmers at practice and during warm ups, sharing his knowledge of swimming,” she said.
Dunton, who is home-schooled, said working with his teammates was an enjoyable part of his high school experience.
“I’m always trying to help people, and it is fun to see them improve,” he said.
Dunton, the Osceola News-Gazette Male Swimmer of the Year, holds individual team records in the backstroke (52.53), the  individual medley (2:04.27) and the butterfly (54.88).
He also joined teammates to set records for all three relay teams over his career.
Dunton helped the Bulldogs place second in the Orange Belt Conference standings this season. The Bulldogs won the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays at the OBC meet.
“I knew that we would be pretty good, but when we won the 200 free relay  it was a complete shock,” Dunton said. “We saw (Harmony) early in the season and we knew they were good, and for us to win at the conference meet really was shocking. We had a good season.”
Dunton teamed with Ryan Neal, Ryan Bender, Dillon Bradley, Joe Long and Davison Kirchmeyer to win the relays.
St. Cloud divers John Stephens and David Laliberte also had outstanding seasons. Stephens placed seventh at the state meet and Laliberte was 13th.
Dunton’s best effort at the state meet came in 2008, when he placed fourth in the backstroke.
Dunton, who competes for the St. Cloud Aquatic Club, has been one of the county’s most promising swimmers for a decade. He competed at the State Games of  America twice, in 2003 and 2005, earning five medals - three golds -  at the 2005 games in Colorado Springs.
“I don’t know; I guess that helped a little when I got to high school,” Dunton said. “I knew that I was competitive.”
Dunton said he occasionally steps away from the sport.
“If I feel like I’m getting burned out, I’ll take a little break for a couple of months,” he said.
Dunton, a dual enrollment student at Valencia Community College, plans to have his A.A. degree next summer and then enroll at  Florida State University.
“I want to study meteorology. They have a good program there,” he said.
Dunton said he might join the Seminole swimming team as  a walk-on.
“I’ll see if they are interested when I get up there,” he said.
Abbott thinks that’s a good idea.
“He has matured into a fine young man, and I know he will succeed in whatever he does,” she said.

Swimmer of the Year: Randy Dunton (Sr., SCHS)
All-county team: Harmony: Mitchell Mungall (Soph.); Tyler Cunningham (Jr.), Brandon Graber (Soph.), Levi Smith (Soph.), Jesse Tetreault (Soph.). Osceola: Zach Yawn (Sr.). St. Cloud: Ryan Bender (Soph.), Ryan Neal (Soph.), Dillon Bradley (Sr.), Joseph Long (Jr.), Davison Kirchmyer (Jr.). Gateway: Kyle Keaten (Sr.).