Buttry dominated the distance events all season long in 2003

1. At the 2003 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships, you won your second straight 1500 meter title and set a meet and all time Division III record of 4:20.86. You also came back later in the day and erased the 20-year-old meet and all-time Division III record in the 5000 meters winning by nearly a full minute with a time of 15:51.33. How was your experience at the NCAA meet and looking back on your season, what race sticks out in your mind as the most memorable?

My experience at the NCAA DIII Nationals was very fun and exciting! It was a good confidence boost for me and helped to see what type of shape I was in at that time. The race that sticks out most in my mind would have to be the Mt. Sac Relays, because I wasn't sure how I would do in the race and that was my first 5,000 meters of the year. I felt awesome through the whole race.

2. As the defending NCAA Division III Cross Country Champion as well, how much do you look forward to the upcoming season this fall?

I'm really looking forward to this cross country season. I'm doing a lot more strength and speed training, so I'm excited to see how much it will help. Our team is also going to be a lot stronger this year, so were excited to see how we can do.

3. How much has your coach, Steve Johnson, helped you along the way to the path where you are at now and where you still want to be as a successful student-athlete?

Coach Johnson and Coach Newsom have both helped me a ton to help me become the runner that I am right now. They help me to stay on top of my studies while balancing the stress of running and school at the same time. They have helped to keep my running fun and from becoming a chore. Like I said earlier, we're starting to add some more strength and speed work to my training so we're hoping that it will help to bring my time down more.

4. What kind of training are you doing this summer to prepare yourself for the start of the cross country season or is this a good time for you to relax and recuperate your body?

I took two down weeks after the championships in June, where I just ran 3 times a week and not over 4 miles. Now I have started to build my mileage up and by the end of the summer it will be up to 60-70 miles a week. I lift twice a week and will start speed and strength training drills in August.

5. Considering that you do most of your training outdoors during the indoor season, is it hard for you to adjust competing on an indoor track every weekend or is that something that does not bother you?

It doesn't really bother me that much. Coach is good about having us do repeats on the indoor track at least once a week if not twice so that helps will the adjustment.

6. Now that half of your collegiate career is over, what are some of your goals that you would like to accomplish on and off the track for the next two years at Wartburg?

To get my degree in social work would be my main goal for off the track. On the track I would like to qualify for the Olympic next July, that's my main focus right now for running.

7. Who were some of the runners or role models you looked up to growing up?

My sister was a role model for me when growing up. She was also a runner and was an All-American for Dana College.

8. What has been some of the more challenging workouts for you during either the cross country or track seasons during your collegiate career so far?

During cross country, it would have to be the 800 meter hill that we do 6-8 sprints up. Track would have to be where we run a 600 at 1500 meter pace, rest a minute and then sprint a 300 as we do about 5 sets of that.

9. If it wasn't for the sport of track & field, what other sports or activities would you like to participate in?

Probably basketball. My mom's side of the family is really involved with basketball, so I would have pick up on that.

10. How important is it for yourself to get the right nutrition and balance your diet to be in top form for practice every day?

I would say that nutrition is very important to me. I'm getting a nutritionist this summer to help me get the right nutrition that I need to reach my best performance.

11. Do you feel the 1500 meters should simply be moved up to the mile run as a championship event indoors and outdoors?

I'm not sure on that. Personally I like the 1500 meters and believe that they should keep that way, but if they changed it I wouldn't mind.