Amanda Burchert

I began my swimming career in Maryland, USA at the age of eight. My family moved to an area which had a community pool and a summer swim team program. For two summers while living in the states I swam for the program placing well during the weekend meets and also places top five at the end of year district championship. We then moved back to Canada where I swam one year with the town of Kemptville’s summer swim program.

In grade five I joined the Nepean Kanata Barracudas Swim Club, where I swam for eight years. I swam up through the club training under Paul Jansen, Lisa Blackburn, Jeff Slater, Scott Faithful and Dave Heinbuch. I was a successful competitor at regional championships placing in the top three in my best event (breaststroke and sprint freestyle). I was a junior and senior provincial qualifier and Quebec cup qualifier. I was recognized in 2001 for most improved swimmer and was given the Slater award in 2004.

While attending Laurentian University I swam for the Vee’s Swim Team. During the three years that I competed, I swam under Phil Parker and Dr. Jeno Tiyhanyi. During my first year on the team I was recognized as the most improved swimmer and placed top eight in several of my races at the OUA championship, missing CIS standards by a few seconds in the 200m breaststroke.

During training camp first year I sustained a serious shoulder injury jeopardizing my swimming career. I had to end my university swimming experience short due to the severity of the injury. Luckily I was taken on as the team trainer. Being team trainer allowed me to experience other aspects of swimming that I had never had to before. Being an athlete you over see all the small things that coaches and supporting staff do to prepare for practices, training camps and competitions.

Looking back on my years as an athlete I feel that I have developed in many ways. Not only improving my skills and speed as a swimmer but also as an individual. I may not have been the fastest person in the pool at practice or at meets, but I was dedicated. I never missed a practice, I was always on time and I was always positive.

I am very excited to work the Stingrays and helping them continue their traditions!