Jan. 13, 2003

On Saturday, January 11, the USC swimming team held its final home meet of the season. This was the last home meet of Senior Kristen Butler’s career. She, along with fellow senior Cory Conway, was honored in a pre-meet ceremony by her teammates and coaches. Her parents made te trip from Mechanicsburg, Penn., to be with their daughter on Senior Day. USCSports.com wanted to find out a little more about her, so we sat down for a candid conversation.

USCSports.com: WHAT GETS YOU EXCITED TO SWIM?

KB: The same thing that got me psyched to swim when I first started competitive
swimming at age seven, and that was just the thrill of getting up and
swimming faster than I have ever swam. Personal best, that’s the biggest
thing.

USCSports.com: DO YOU DO ANYTHING SPECIAL BEFORE MEETS TO GET YOU READY?

KB: I get really nervous before meets, so I try to talk to people and get myself
going and keep busy. If I just sit down then I’ll just start to think
about it too much.

USCSports.com: IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

KB: Passionate, Determined, Honest.

USCSports.com: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH AT USC BESIDES SWIMMING?

KB: I would have to say football. If I were a boy, then I think I would have
enjoyed [laying football. I am pretty good. I can throw well and I was
raised as a big Notre Dame fan, so when Lou [Holtz] came here, I knew that
it was a good sign. I love to watch Lou pick grass on the sidelines

USCSports.com: IS THAT WHY YOU CAME HERE? BECAUSE OF LOU?

KB: That was the final push. It was seriously like a small sign that it was
okay. I am extremely close to my family and this was a little farther than
I wanted to go. That ‘s the biggest issue, but when all is said and done, I
am glad that I came here. I have learned to stand on my own two feet and
be my own person.

USCSports.com: WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME (IF YOU HAVE ANY)?

KB: That’s the thing with swimming. We practice twice a day all year so I sleep
a lot. Anytime I can I am sleeping. Other than that I study. I am really
good about that. I am probably as competitive in school as I am in the
water. Being here has taught me time management skills and discipline and I
wouldn’t trade that for anything.

USCSports.com: DO YOU DREAM ABOUT SWIMMING?

KB: Not often, thank goodness. I think about swimming when I am going to sleep
at night. I get nervous that the alarm clock won’t go off and I’ll be late,
because it has happened before. I try to not think about it when I am not
here, but it somehow creeps into my every thought.

USCSports.com: WOULD YOU RATHER BE A HILIGHT ON “SPORTSCENTER” OR A GUEST STAR ON “FRIENDS”?

KB: Definitely on Sportscenter. I spend so much of my time swimming that I
would rather be acknowledged in the field of athletics than have a passing
moment on a television show.

USCSports.com: WHAT’S YOU FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING HERE?

KB: The challenges and obstacles, the program, the coaches presented me with
swimming in the toughest swimming conference in the country. Also having met
and competed against some of the world’s fastest swimmers. That’s an honor
that a lot of people don’t have

USCSports.com: IF YOU COULD WISH ANYTHING FOR THOSE AROUND YOU, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

KB: To be able to give my family and closest friends health, happiness and
success. I have been fortunate enough to experience those things in my short
21 years and I’d love to give that same feeling to those closest to me.

USCSPorts.com: IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

KB: To be able to breath under water. That would come in really handy for me. I
struggle with holding my breath underwater ad that would have helped a lot.

USCSports.com: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY BACK HOME?

KB: I’d like to thank my parents, my brother and sister, my boyfriend Rick, my
roommates Lauren and Rachel and my fellow senior teammate and friend Cory.
I never could have made it through these four years and to this day without
those people. I appreciate the support and consider myself extremely lucky
and blessed to have those people in my life.