Damon Treitler regularly swims at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia, and each time he does, he notices Torri Huske’s name on the board there.
It lists the record holders, and her name appears often. Behind the glass on display at the Yorktown Aquatics Center, many of the accolades bear her name, too.
Treitler, like most across Northern Virginia, watched Huske edge out American teammate Gretchen Walsh to win the 100-meter butterfly contest in the Paris Olympic Games on Sunday. For some in the swimming community, Huske’s success was discussed often Monday.
“My son is 16, he’s in high school, and all his friends are abuzz about, ‘Hey, Yorktown, hometown girl made good,'” Treitler said. “It’s happening. It’s all over the place.”
Kathy Koczyk, who said she helped teach Huske the butterfly when she was a child, said Huske’s Olympic success isn’t a surprise. Even as a kid, she was a quick learner and great listener, Koczyk said.
“What it proves to me, which is what I love, is it’s the technique,” Koczyk said. “Because you don’t have to have brawn and heights in the water if you have the right technique. You can beat even big people.”
Meanwhile, Amy Potter said she used to swim the butterfly as a kid, “so I know how hard it is. And she was flying.”
Outside the Long Bridge and Aquatics and Fitness Center near Crystal City, Miki said Huske is “amazing. We’re really lucky for her to be representing us.”
