Samantha Butchley '17 Recruiting Profile

    Thank you for reviewing my profile. I am a senior at Crystal Central Lake High School in Illinois. I am interested in finding a good college match for both my sports and scholastic interests. Specifically, I would like to find a school where I can join an outdoor track and field team and compete at the college level in throwing.  

    My love for throwing began my freshman year when my friend begged me to join the girls track team. Not knowing much about the sport I joined, and instantly fell in love. I loved everything from the winter conditioning to the technical breakdown to learn a proper full. I am always wanting to improve which is why for me; track has turned into a full year sport. This involves five am wake-up calls to lift before school and waking up early in the summer as well as after school to throw.

    I ended my freshman year throwing a PR of 72’1” which I threw in a stand throw. My sophomore year I was able to work more on my form and was throwing a half with my final season PR being 92’9”. I took a one week camp my junior year summer at University of Wisconsin Madison where they helped me to break down my discus full and they gave me tips as to what is needed to achieve a perfect discus full. Through just this one camp I saw a dramatic increase in my distance in discus as well as shot put. With my additional conditioning work over the summer I am comfortably throwing discus with a full and hope to improve my distance in order to achieve my goal. My junior year I threw a PR of 103'9" at my sectional meet. 

    Besides track and field I am involved in marching band at school where I play tenor saxophone. I have taken on an extra role of Librarian, where I prepare everyone’s music prior to the shows. Also, I have been elected to be the section leader for the saxophone section.  I also participate in the concert band for the rest of the year.  For my senior year I have been chosen to be a senior mentor which 56 of the 157 people that applied were chosen to help the incoming freshmen learn and become more comfortable in the school. Looking forward to college, I would love to study sports medicine. My goal in college is to study one of these programs as well as participate in track and field. My throwing goal for senior year is 120 feet in discus and around 30 feet in shot put. My discus goal would allow me to compete at state as well as break our standing school record! 

    Throwing has been a major change in my high school career and has made me always strive to be the best that I can be whether in the classroom or in track. I have both physically and mentally become stronger because I am always pushing myself to be the best that I can be in order to achieve throwing and classroom goals. Throwing has also made me become more aware and focused on my future and what goals I need to set to get there. My coaches have been a huge part into my current success and I hope to have more success this year with the help of my coaches and my training.