Sophomore
Amber Walter gets some training at swim team practice at the Summit.
At the age of nine, sophomore
Amber Walter decided that she wanted to swim - and she hasn't stopped
since.
"Swimming sounded like fun," said Walter.
"(It's) just something I wanted to do."
She started swimming by taking lessons at the former
Second Wind Athletic Club and after that joined the swim team, Kats.
At the age of 10, 12, 13 and 14 Amber made Zones, a
team from Montana that swims against 13 other states' teams, although
each person still races and scores as an individual.
When she was 14 Walter qualified for Zones but was unable
to compete because she needed surgery on her A.C.L., which she tore while
playing basketball.
"I swim every morning before school, Tuesdays,
and Thursdays after school," says Walter. "It takes up a lot
of the time but I like it and want to do it."
Walter, who is looking to go to University of Arizona
or to Stanford, most likely on a swimming scholarship.
"I'm hoping to qualify for seniors nationals and
to swim for college," says Walter. "The older you get, the easier
you can get to Seniors (Nationals)."
In order to get to senior nationals, which leads to
the Olympic Trials, you must go through a series of events.
The order of events starts with making it to State,
Age Group Regionals, Zones, Sr. Regionals, Jr. Nationals (now Sections),
Sr. Nationals, and then the Olympic Trials.
"Amber always encourages the younger swimmers," says sophomore
Megan Slater. "She's really pleasant to everyone."
Amber is at the moment at the junior nationals level
(known as sectionals). Her next step ahead of her is to make it to the
senior nationals, in which she will try to make it this March.
"I think she works super hard and she's kind of
the die-hard type," says senior Matt Hartmann. "She'll (Amber)
do anything even if she doesn't think she can, she'll at least try the
attempt at it."
At the age 15 Walter was breaking state records. She
also qualified for the Jr. Nationals in the 50 free and the 100 fly and
broke records in the 100 fly and 100 in high school, and won MHS female
swimmer of the year.
"It's always 110 percent with her (Amber) …..
nothing less," said junior David Edwards.
Even though Walter has much to be proud about she still
keeps a good head on her shoulders.
"Amber Walter will go far in her career in swimming
not only because of her natural talent, but because of her incredible
personality," said senior Emily Greer. "She doesn't go around
with a big head."
