In The Nest: Kaila Butler is Everyone's All-American
Medical Mutual
7/14/2022
Track and field graduate Kaila Butler (Port Coquitlam, British Columbia) has earned two degrees from Bowling Green State University and has won two MAC championships in the hammer throw, as well as leaving BGSU as a three-time All-American in the event. She recently placed third at the Canadian Nationals.
Q: As we are in the midst of summer. You haven’t been slowing down from competition. Can you take us through what you have been doing and where you have been competing?
Butler: Since competing at the NCAA championships in early June things have been very busy. I competed at some local meets here in Canada in preparation for the Canadian National Championships. Then I competed at Canadian Nationals which took place at the end of June where I placed third. I was also selected to represent Team Canada at the Commonwealth Games which will be taking place in Birmingham, England from July 28-August 9 so I have been in preparation for that. In addition to the Canadian Championships and the Commonwealth Games I will also be representing Team Canada at the NACAC Championships which will be taking place in Grand Bahama, Bahamas from August 19-22 and that will be my last competition until next season.
Do you have any fun summer plans or trips you are taking, or has it all been training and competition?
Butler: This summer has been all about training and competition, but the amazing thing is that because of the opportunities that I have been given to compete with Team Canada I will get to combine my competitions with some pretty awesome summer trips. Prior to heading to England for the Commonwealth Games I will be spending 18 days in Germany for a preparation camp and then will go into Birmingham from there. Then I will get to spend about a week in the Bahamas for the NACAC Championships, so while this summer is mostly training and competing I will get to have some great experiences as a result.
Q: You just finished your college career at BGSU as a second-team All-American in the hammer throw. When did it finally hit you that your time in the Orange and Brown was officially over?
Butler: It hit me that my time as a Falcon was over as soon as I released my last throw at NCAAs. I was ultimately not happy with my performance at my last NCAA’s and when I released my last throw and realized I would not be getting first-team All-America accolades. That is when it really sunk it that it was over. There was a lot of emotions going into that meet and after they had escorted me back through the clerking tent and Derrick (Coach Vicars) was waiting for me all of the emotions hit me and that was a defining moment that my time in the Orange and Brown was over.
Q: You were the MAC champion in the hammer throw in 2019 and 2020 was lost to COVID. Then you faulted in 2021 and didn’t place. What was the last few years been like as you came back in 2022 and won the 2022 MAC championship in the hammer throw again? What was that redemption like for you?
Butler: The 2021 season was incredibly difficult and I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform exceptionally since I was the defending MAC champion and an NCAA All-American. As a result I had the worst season of my career. I knew that I couldn’t go into the 2022 season with that same mindset. When Coach Vicars and I had our preseason meeting coming into 2022 we really focused on the mental side of things and prioritizing the focus on the things I could control. My mindset for the 2022 season was that I was really focused on myself, on competing for myself, enjoying the process and enjoying my last year as a Falcon. Once we made those adjustments all of the pieces fell into place and I had the best season of my career. Winning the MAC title in 2022 and getting that redemption was everything I wanted it to be. It made it especially sweet because my parents got to be in attendance and watch me win.
Q: Can you walk us through what your training is like for an event like the hammer throw? How often per week are you actually throwing the hammer versus strength training?
Butler: My training during the academic year was different than it is now. When I was in school I was throwing 4 days a week and strength training 4 days a week because of classes and other obligations. Now that school is out and I have more free time my schedule is more rigorous so I am often training twice a day. Currently in a week I am throwing 8 times and strength training 8 times. So essentially my training volume doubles during the summers and during non-academic times.
Q: You are a two-time BGSU alum in the school of education. Outside of competing, what are your career goals in the education field?
Butler: Outside of track & field, my career goals are to teach abroad for a little while and then move into upper administration, either a vice principal or principal and then eventually move into the school board office and become superintendent of schools.
Q: Is there something not many people know about you?
Butler: I have been to more US states than I have Canadian provinces.
Q: Growing up, how did you gravitate towards track & field?
Butler: I didn’t start competing in the hammer throw and really doing track & field seriously until I was in grade 11. When I was growing up I played ringette, hockey, volleyball and softball at various high performance levels outside of school, so track & field was something that I did for fun as a school sport. It wasn’t until the teacher sponsor for my high school’s track team approached me and gave me the phone number for a private coach that I really started to consider track & field seriously. I officially started training the hammer the summer going into grade 11, and then I stuck with it and the rest is history.
Q: You hail from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia., which is just outside Vancouver. If someone is coming to your hometown, or passing through, where is a place they should visit or grab a meal (what should they order)?
Butler: Hiraku Sushi. Port Coquitlam has some excellent sushi restaurants (a perk of being so close to the ocean) so you really can’t go wrong with any sushi restaurant here but Hiraku is my personal favorite.
Q: Describe Coach Snelling in one word?
Butler: Energetic
Q: Who is the funniest girl on the team?
Butler: This is a tie between Ebonie Whitted and Destiny Fernandes.
Q: Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?
Butler: My parents and family encouraged me the most athletically growing up. They have always been supportive of my athletic aspirations and have always pushed me to take opportunities. They have supported my choices and my career as an athlete regardless of the sport.
Q: Where was your favorite spot on campus and why?
Butler: As strange as it sounds my favorite spot on campus is the Eppler building complex. As an education major, I basically lived there over the last six years and I have some of my best memories from taking classes and meeting people in that building.
Q: What was it like competing at such a hallowed track & field complex like Oregon’s Hayward Field?
Butler: It was an amazing experience. To get to compete at such a historic location more than once was something I’ll never forget. Especially since they redid the stadium to prepare for the World Championships and it is one of the best facilities I have ever thrown at. It was an experience I will remember forever.
Q: To close, what is your go-to meal?
Butler: Definitely a steak with a baked potato and some vegetables and salad.
