First Capitol News Athlete of the Week
“The greatest risk is to not take any risk at all.”
Amanda Butz, Sophomore, St. Charles High School
By: Mike McMurran
Sports Editor
Imagine the excitement one might feel knowing they had qualified to compete in the State finals of their respective sport. Factor in the fact that the achievement was made during their first year of high school competition, and then factor in the amazing fact that the individual qualified in not only one, but five, yes five events, and you have the story of St. Charles High sophomore swimmer Amanda Butz.
Getting Amanda to talk about herself is about as hard as giving a cat a bath. She specializes in giving one, two, at most three word answers. Thankfully her head swimming coach at High, Tammy Orrick, has volumes to say about Amanda. “She is an amazing athlete,” said Orrick. “She is a great student, conscientious, makes friends very easily, just an all around great kid.” Wondering how someone as quiet as Amanda could be a team leader, Orrick suggested, “The other girls look at her and want to achieve some of what Amanda has achieved. She has pulled this swim team together and made it what it is today.” One cannot stress how shy Amanda really is. Orrick begged to offer, “She is really coming out of her shell.”
This is Amanda’s first year competing at the high school level. Prior to this year Missouri State High School Activities Association rules prevented swimmers from competing in both Club and high school competition. Many of the really good swimmers, such as Amanda, stayed with their Club team. The change in rules allow such athletes as Amanda to “swim both Club and high school, and they are allowed to participate, and qualify for as many events as they wish,” explained Orrick. Amanda’s times have qualified her to compete in five events. They are: the 200 meter freestyle, the 500 meter freestyle, the 200 meter individual medley, the 100 meter freestyle and the 50 meter freestyle. Amanda’s favorite race the “200 free style.”
Amanda lives with her mom and dad, Jim and Karen Butz. Her older brother, Matt attends St. Charles Community College. Her 11-year-old brother Timmy is following in his sister’s footsteps in that he too is a swimmer. Her primary motivator is her “grandpa, Jim Flanagan. He is at every one of my swim meets. It means everything to me looking into the crowd and knowing he is there for me.” Finally Amanda was able to respond to a question with more than three words.
Amanda’s favorite eating establishment is Fazoli’s, where if I were buying, she would order “ a bunch of different types of spaghetti.” She may be shy, but she is clearly knows what she likes, as she would finish her meal off “with something chocolate.”
To nominate an athlete contact Mike McMurran at mcmurran@charter.net or 314.280.9189
