Butler excited to swim at Oklahoma Christian

n He signed a letter of intent on Wednesday.

Graham Thomas/Siloam Sunday Siloam Springs senior Brittan Butler, middle, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to swim at Oklahoma Christian University. Also pictured with Butler are his father David Butler, left, mother Shereea Butler, right, and Siloam Springs swimming coach Stephanie Goddard, back.
Graham Thomas/Siloam Sunday Siloam Springs senior Brittan Butler, middle, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to swim at Oklahoma Christian University. Also pictured with Butler are his father David Butler, left, mother Shereea Butler, right, and Siloam Springs swimming coach Stephanie Goddard, back.

Stephanie Goddard remembers when Brittan Butler first fell in love with competitive swimming.

"He began swimming in the summers for me with the (Siloam Springs) Flyers as a tiny little 8-year-old that just smiled all the time and wanted to swim fast," Goddard said.

Turns out Butler can swim really fast. The senior signed a letter of intent to swim collegiately at Oklahoma City on Wednesday and fulfilled a childhood dream.

"It's really awesome honestly," Butler said. "I've worked really hard for this. I'm really excited to see my hard work pay off."

Butler has been one of Siloam Springs' top swimmers the last three years. He's qualified for the state meet each season in both individual and relay events. Last season he finished fifth overall in the 500-yard freestyle and dropped 21 seconds from his best time to record a mark of 5 minutes 0.55 seconds.

"I have coached for 20 years and have never seen someone drop so much time," Goddard said.

Butler is likely to compete as a mid-distance swimmer at Oklahoma Christian, which is coached by former USA team captain Josh Davis, who won three gold medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and two silvers in Sydney, Australia, in 2000.

"He's so uplifting," Butler said of Davis. "I'm excited to swim underneath a guy that's been as successful as he has."

Butler said he also selected Oklahoma Christian because the school offers his choice of study. He said he hopes to major in Missions and one day go to Africa as a missionary to work in orphanages.

Butler currently swims with the Razorback Aquatic Club AquaHawgs along with the high school team.

"I am excited that Brittan is going to continue swimming at the next level and know that he will be a great asset to Oklahoma Christian," Goddard said. "We will miss him but wish him nothing but success as he moves on to the next chapter of his life."

Sports on 11/13/2016