Courtney L. Crutcher (b. August 3, 1985) is a national champion triathlete most noted for her swimming abilities. Crutcher began her triathlon career in 2006. A triathlon is an endurance sports event consisting of Swimming, cycling and Running over various distances Crutcher has earned National Age Group titles in both swimming and triathlon.
Contents |
Swimming
The early years
Crutcher began swimming at the age of nine with the local Suburban Municipal Swim League. . She swam two seasons with the SMSL before moving to year round swimming at then Longview Aquatics. At the age of 12 she earned first place rights in the Division I Junior Olympics in the 50 yard freestyle and a 2nd in the 100 yard freestyle. Freestyle is an unregulated Swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The same year, Crutcher placed in the Top 8 in six other events. As a 13 year old she made the switch to the club Kansas City Dolphins. She was the second youngest competitor at Region 8's in 1998. Crutcher swam against high school and college aged swimmers in the 50 yard freestyle, the 100 yard freestyle and the 100 yard backstroke. The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four She also swam on the 4 x 100 Medley Relay and 4 x 50 Freestyle Relay. Freestyle is an unregulated Swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. She did not place in any individual event, however the 4 x 100 Medley Relay did earn a placing of 12th. Late in the 1999 Long Course season at the National State Games of America, Crutcher earned her first national title in swimming as a 14 year old. She was a member of the winning 4 x 100 Freestyle and Medley relays, both of which broke national records for the 13-14 age group. Crutcher also placed in the top 10 in four other events.
High school
As a freshman at Belton Senior High (Belton, MO) Crutcher (coached by Robert Cole) entered the 2000 State Meet in the 50 yard freestyle and 100 yard backstroke. A freshman, fresher, fish, or frosh is a first-year student in an educational institution Crutcher failed to qualify for finals in either event.
In Crutcher’s sophomore year she broke all the high school swimming records (except the 100 yard breaststroke), including hers from the previous year. Sophomore is a term used to describe a second effort instance or release In the 100 yard backstroke Crutcher swam to a second place finish at the State Meet with a time of 57. 97.
After 2001 Crutcher did not return to high school swimming and instead continued on with the club team Kansas City Dolphins. In August of 2001 she again medaled at the National State Games of America in individual pursuits.
In May of 2003 Courtney Crutcher graduated with honors from Belton Senior High.
College and beyond
In the spring of 2003 Crutcher, now a 17-year-old senior, signed with the University of Findlay (Ohio). The University of Findlay is a Private university located in the city of Findlay in Hancock County, Ohio, United States. Crutcher resigned her swimming full ride scholarship prior to completing one full season at Findlay sighting fatigue and burnout as reasons. A scholarship is an award of access to an institution or a financial aid award for an individual student scholar for the purpose of furthering their Education Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and In 2004 Crutcher returned to USA Swimming with the club team Kansas City Blazers. Crutcher re-qualified for United States Masters Swimming nationals in a variety of events and distances. Masters swimming is an organized program of swimming for adults However, early in the long course season Crutcher found she had a tear in the labrum of her right shoulder, successfully ending the attempt at a comeback career.
Triathlon
The triathlon life
After graduating college in May of 2006 Crutcher competed in her first triathlon, Heritage Park Triathlon. College ( Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an Educational Institution. She finished in the Top 10. Within her first year of competition Crutcher completed eight multisport events. Multisport is a family of Athletic competitions in which athletes race in a continuous series of stages or "legs" and rapidly switch from one athletic discipline to In September of 2006 raced HalfMax- the USA's Half Iron National Championships (1. 2 mile swim/ 56 mile bike/ 13. 1 mile run), in Innsbrook, MO. On September 16, 2006, Crutcher went on to win the women’s 18-24 age group earning a national championship title in the Half Iron man.
External links
- Missouri State High School Athletic Association
- information
- 2006 Half Iron Man Championship Results
- University of Findlay
- TriSports.com
- Athlinks triathlete results pages
- Athlete Profiles
- Athlete information
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic