LEWISBURG - There is plenty of swimming on the horizon for Joann Butkus.
Saturday, the Tamaqua senior ended one chapter with an eye toward the next one.
The 17-year-old Tuscarora resident capped her sensational high school career by placing 13th in the 100-yard breaststroke
at the PIAA Class AA Swimming Championships at Bucknell University's Kinney Natatorium.
The District 11 runner-up in the event, Butkus advanced to the consolation finals by placing 12th in the morning preliminary round in 1:08.21. In the evening session, Butkus put together another solid swim to finish in 1:08.07.
"It felt good," Butkus said. "I really just wanted to have fun tonight, being my last swim.
"It's been a whirlwind of emotions all night tonight. Behind the blocks, I was just thinking, 'This is my last hurrah, and I want to make it count.'
"I went out, had fun and really enjoyed the race. I'm really proud of how I did. I think I did great."
Saturday was the icing on a glorious high school career for Butkus, who compiled 12 gold medals in four years at the Schuylkill League Swimming Championships, helped her Tamaqua team win the league crown three times in the past four years - including this year - won countless District 11 medals and qualified for states four straight years.
As a freshman, Butkus placed 24th in the 50 freestyle (25.37) and 18th in the 100 freestyle (54.86), then took 20th in the 100 butterfly (1:01.78) and 24th in the 100 freestyle (55.08).
Butkus reached the consolation finals twice last season, placing 14th in the 50 freestyle (24.90) and teaming with Miranda Amey, Caroline Kanaskie and Danielle DeCindio to place 16th in the 400 freestyle relay (3:47.38).
Friday, Butkus placed 12th in the 50 freestyle in 24.66, then capped it with another solid performance Saturday in the 100 breaststroke.
Butkus will continue her swimming career at the collegiate level next year at Susquehanna University.
"I touched the wall, I looked up and it hit me," Butkus said. "That's it, I'm done.
"I ended my career as a Raider, but I'm going to go on as a Crusader. Hopefully, I'm going to continue to improve and get better, set goals.
"I may not have gotten the state medal I wanted this year, but I got so much more out of this meet. I got amazing time with my coaches, with my teammates.
"I have the best fans in the world up there in the stands, and I have a whole bunch at home. I couldn't be more thankful for this career that I've had. It's really overwhelming."
While Saturday marked the end of her high school career, Butkus isn't done this spring.
Butkus will compete at the YMCA state meet next weekend at Penn State in the 100 breaststroke and 200 freestyle relay, then swim the 50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke at the YMCA Short-Course Nationals set for April 1-5 in Greensboro, N.C.
It's the second straight year Butkus has made YMCA nationals, qualifying in the 50 freestyle last year and then swimming the 50 free, 100 free and 100 breast at long-course nationals.
"I really enjoy breaststroke. I discovered that this year. I really do," Butkus said. "I think I have a lot of potential (in the stroke) being that I haven't swam it that much."
She said this weekend's performance at the PIAA meet will help her moving forward.
"I'm really looking forward to what the future will hold," Butkus said. "I've had such an amazing base, with Coach Ashley (Stanek), the Schuylkill YMCA and before that with my youth team and the Hazleton YMCA.
"There's been such a large group of people who have helped me get here in so many ways, not just in my training, but mentally just saying 'Good luck' or 'Good job.'
"I'm really sad to close this book, but I'll never forget where I came from. I'll never forget the people who helped me, and I hope I can go on and have a great career in college."