Welcome to Butternuts!

The Butternuts, the 500+ butterfly club, is now nationwide! Team NASTI would like to extend membership to anyone “brave” enough (i.e., nutty enough) to try this! Please fill out this form and send it to the address indicated. ButterNut Club Members will receive a color certificate and custom full-color T-shirt to wear with pride!

Butternut Rules:
1. Continuous butterfly swim - 500 yard minimum
2. Swim duration must be USA/USMS legal (all regulation butterfly; no one-armed strokes or turns, fins, etc.)
3. A witness who’ll vouch for your success!

We have members ranging from nine to eighty years old, and we stretch from Maine to Texas, Montana, California and even Hawaii! And the Butternuts haven’t stopped at just 500 yards! Doug Strong, 80, from Bloomington, Ind., swam a 2,500! We wanted to share one of the comments we’ve received:

"On February 28, I swam a 1100 yard continuous butterfly. My witness is Jason Amos, our assistant aquatics director, here at the Penobscott Bay “YMCA” in Rockport. Since we don’t have any 50-meter pools in Maine, it had to be in yards. I’d set out to swim a 600 fly, but gee, it felt so good, I decided to see how far I could go before either getting bored or was too tired to continue. The former was the result. After about 40 minutes, I just flat got too bored to go for more. Since fly is my “resting and cool down” stroke, it wasn’t difficult, when taken slow and relaxed. I’ve come to believe that most people shudder away from butterfly because they try to “kill” the stroke and end up doing themselves in. To me, the key to butterfly, is to just stay relaxed and keep up a steady rythmn. ... I’ll gladly pay for the T-shirt and shipping. At 72, most other swimmers think that I’m nuts to swim butterfly distances, anyway. I might as well make it official!"
Dolly Slater, Maine Masters, Owls Head, Maine

Here's another amazing story, one that qualifies them as "Honorary Butternuts"!
Girl, 14, Emerges from Lake Erie as a Champion

Here are the inductees so far...

Laurie Alioto, 49 - WMAC
2/10/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 7:03.8
Viki Anders, 58 - MMEST
3/17/2009 - 500 yds., pool, 10:00.28
Christie Anderson, 29 - NASTI
4/4/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 7:40.72
Amber Anthony, 42 - MOST
7/15/2008 - 500 M, pool, 12:49.3
Aaron Applebaum, 13 - COPS
2/22/2007 - 500 yds., pool
Rodney Bailey, 55 - UA
500 yds., pool, 10:27
Randy Barr, 44 - Portland Maine Y Masters
11/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 8:55
Patrick Barrett, 62 - SWYM
12/12/2011 - 500 yds., pool
Todd Barton, Sugar Creek
4/25/2009 - 500 yds., pool, 9:21.01
Lauren Battistini, 39 - SWYM
11/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 8:45
Dan Behr, BOZE
3/9/2006 - 500 M, pool
Marcia Benjamin, 50 - Walnut Creek Masters
5/13/07 - 500 yds., pool, 8:48
Miriam Benjamin, 10 - Walnut Creek Aquabears
4/25/07 - 500 yds., pool
Kirsten Berger, 40
500 yds., pool, 8:10
Kat Boyer, 53 - MOST
7/15/2008 - 500 M, pool, 10:12.28
Ann Brewer, South Texas
500 M, pool
Jim Budde, AMST
2/06 - 1000 yds., ocean
Linda Callaway, MOST
5/17/2008 - 500 M, pool, 13:08

According to tradition, Linda's workout group celebrated her birthday poolside when she turned 55 and they did a special challenge set - 55 laps all the same stroke. She swam butterfly while everyone else swam other strokes. When she finished, they sang "Happy Birthday" and gave her a goofy B'day cake (Clif Bar with a lighted candle). Also, in January 2007, she did the One Hour Postal Swim all butterfly, 2,180 SCY! At the end, some age group kids (12-15 years old) in the pool that day clapped and cheered her when she finished, their coach citing her as a real role model for them. Now we know why she is known among her teammates as the "Butterfly Queen".
Anna Castle,
3/7/2007 - 500 yds., pool
Doug Church, 62 - NASTI
Summer '05 - 500 yds., pool
Frank Cody, 70 - Michigan Masters of Kalamazoo
7/6/2011 - 1500 M, pool, 31:04

As far as I know, Jim D'Amour and I are the only Michigan Masters Butternuts. We were both honored Saturday night at a first annual awards banquet hosted by Michigan Masters for our achievement in being inducted into the Butternut fraternity. Before the banquet, and knowing the award was coming, Jim and I discussed the possibility of and committed to a swim off at a 1500 or 1650 event this year. Our times are similar enough that it should be a good race, if both of us can, indeed, finish. I think Jim has more credibility in that respect, since I am 21 years older and, unlike Jim, have never swum the 1500/1650 in competition. Jim regularly does not only that event butterfly in a meet, but I believe has done a 400 and a 200 butterfly in the same meet. He's quite a stud. So, stay tuned for the latest edition of the Michigan butterfly follies coming to some swim pool in Michigan before the nationals next year.
Steve Conover, 61 - GRIN
1/27/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 9:56
Bill Crowley, 67 - Plano Wetcats
5/4/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 10:11
Patricia Cuero, 38 - MOST
7/14/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 11:37
James D'Amour, 46 - Ann Arbor Masters
11/11/2007 - 500 M, pool, 8:54.90
11/11/2007 - 1650 M, pool, 32:07.66
Suzanne Dowling, 39 - MOST
7/14/2008 - 500 M, pool, 12:32.16
Eric Dybahl, 46 - PNA
1/24/2007 - 3740 yds., pool, 1:00:00.00
Julie Eakle, 48 - MOST
6/27/2008 - 500 M, pool, 11:59
Tittia Elias, South Texas
500 yds., pool, 8:50
Todd Erickson, 53 - MOST
7/15/2008 - 500 M, pool, 9:51.3
James Evans, 59 - Virginia Masters
2/10/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 10:39.50
Lindsay Fairbanks, 11 - Winchester Country Club
7/5/2010 - 500 M, pool, 12:00
Mark Feinberg, 44 - Ursinus College
10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 9:07
Elizabeth Fox, Iowa Masters
10/8/2011 - 1000 yds., pool, 19:08
Michael Fox, 57 - Plano Wetcats
2/10/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:40.09
John Gale, 55 - Maine Masters
12/21/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 8:58
Renee Gallagher, 13 - Pierre Swim Team
11/2011 - 500 yds., pool, NT
Jim Gibbs, 65 - Plano Wetcats
2/10/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 11:39
Peter Giustra, 67 - Maine Masters
500 yds., pool
Duane Grassell, 51 - Ohio Masters
1500 M, pool, 33:28
Mike Greenleaf, 47 - SKY-MMM
7/14/2011 - 500 yds, pool
Claire Gregg, 67 - MOST
500 M, pool, 17:39.53
Kyle Haflich, 10 - Noblesville Swim Club
8/28/2010 - 500 M, pool, 10:03
Henry Hallf, Masters of South Texas
600 yds, pool (SCM), 12:58
5/30/2008 - 500 M, pool, 11:07
Betty Hanson, 46 - PST
500 yds, pool, 13:18.87
Kelcey Hanson, 16 - PST
8/2008 - 500 yds, pool, 8:55
3/13/2011 - 1000 yards, pool, 19:48.59
Michael Hanson, 15 - PST
3/13/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 8:38.00
Diane Happel, 47 - Iowa Masters
11/2011 - 500 yds, pool, NT
Emily Happel, 11 - Iowa
10/23/2011 - 1000 yds, pool, NT
James Hasley, 40 - Masters of Orlando
11/2011 - 500 M, pool, 12:00+

The Butternut Swim is a fantastic event, especially for us “bad body” fitness swimmers who’ve always enjoyed the challenge, grace and power of the butterfly. At 5’11” and 250 lbs. I’m built as a Rugby prop and few things give me a greater joy than the looks I get after knocking out a few dozen laps of butterfly. Someone once told me “Neither bumble bees nor you are supposed to “fly” but yet you do!
Rachel Haynes, 26 - UNAT
10/10/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 7:30
Jenny Hodges, 34 - PMST
6/18/2008 - 500 yds, pool, 9:55
Doug Holmes, 75 - Louisiana
11/15/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:28.73
Vic Holove, NASTI
Summer '05 - 500 M, pool
Donna Hooe, 49 - Savannah Masters
10/14/2011 - 500 M, pool
Russell Hubbard, Southwest Y Masters
11/11/2011 - 500 yds, pool, NT
Laura Humphrey-MacKenzie, 36 - Baptist East Milestone Marlins
7/14/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:00.0
Jakob Janson, 9 - Noblesville Swim Club
8/2010 - 600 M, pool, 14:22:30
Doug Jelen, 34, PNA
500 yds, pool, 6:48
Robert Johnson, 65 - College Station
10/17/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:15
Tara Jorgensen, 11 - PST
3/13/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 10:48.21
Talia Jorgensen, 10 - PST
3/13/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 9:03.38
Tom Kline, 47 - NASTI
7/30/2011 - 500 M, pool, 8:15
Craig Kercher, 46 - MOST
7/2/2008 - 500 M, pool
Nancy Kranpitz, 64 - WMAC
3/21/2010 - 500 yds, pool, 9:47.23
Larry Kravitz, 57 - Nitro Masters - Austin, TX
12/7/2011 - 500 yds, pool, 8:34
Jerilyn Kucharski, 29 - Ursinus College
10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 7:59.2
Lana Lambert, 41 - Prairie Masters
10/4/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 12:34
Andrea Latell, 35 - Virginia Masters
12/18/2008 - 500 yds., pool, 9:21
Raena Latina-Lawson, 34 - NASTI
Summer '05 - 500 M, pool
Matt Laughlin, 19 - Baldwin Wallace
1/5/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 6:03
Alex Leer, 11 - NSC
500 yds., pool
Ethan Leer, 9 - NSC
500 yds., pool
Jonathan Lenchner, 51 - Westchester Masters (NY)
11/13/2010 - 500 yds., pool, 9:45
11/20/2010 - 1000 yds., pool, 19:44
Ellen Lipolis, Vacaville
500 M, pool, 9:24
Lindsay Longest, NASTI
4/4/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 9:24
Jerry Lourigan, Madison Area Masters
2/11/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:35.22
Chris Massonneau, 49 - Winchester Masters
8/6/2007, pool (LCM), 10:53
Danielle Maydak, 33 - NASTI
7/30/2011, 500 M, pool (LCM), 11:44
Jeff Maydak, 38 - NASTI
7/30/2011, 500 M, pool (LCM), 11:45
Chris Mayhew, 54 - Masters of South Texas
6/27/2008, pool (LCM), 10:51.61
Matt McGuriman, 22 - Ursinus College
10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 8:45
Veronica Morales, 39 - MOST
7/8/2008, 500 M, pool, 10:07.70
Kathy Morrell, VSCM

Scott Mortenson, South Texas
600 M, pool, 14:02
Kathi Mueller, 40 - Prairie Masters
500 yds., pool, 11:03
Kathi Mueller, 40 - Prairie Masters
500 yds., pool, 11:03
Michael Muma, 60 - Michigan Masters
2011 - 600 yds., pool, NT
Rhonda Nisman, 53, MOST
5/30/2008 - 500 M, pool, 9:25.80
Stephanie Patterson, 27 - Omaha Masters
3/27/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:51.92
Tim Patterson, 49 - Omaha Masters
3/27/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 7:47.79
Judy Paukert, 60 - MOST
7/15/2008 - 600 yds., pool, 14:45
Dick Pitman, WMAC
500 yds., pool, 9:21.99
Kathryn Platky, 29 - BEST Milestone Masters
7/14/2011 - 500 yds., pool
Esther Platsis, 39 - Virginia Masters
11/28/2009 - 500 yds., pool, 11:09.16
Maciej Przybylowski, 33 - Premier Athletic Club, NY
10/8/2009 - 1100 yds., pool, 20:20.00
Charlene Puska, 43 - Connecticut Masters
11/2/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 7:56
Allen Raver, 38 - NASTI
4/8/2006 - 500 yds., pool, 9:13
Eric Rawlings, 25 - Charlottesville
3/14/2007 - 600 yds., pool, 6:03
Ryan Reynolds, 18 - Baldwin Wallace
1/5/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 6:06
Brian Reeves, 45 - NASTI
6/27/2008 - 1500 M, pool, slooooow...
John Richardson, 49 - Southwest Indiana Masters
11/24/2011, 500 yds, pool, 8:05
Rick Ringenwald, 45 - Ursinus College
10/22/2011, 500 yds, pool, 8:32
Elizabeth Robinson, 54 - Plano Wetcats
1/31/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 10:17
Bruce Rollins, 62 - WMST Houston
500 yds., pool, no time
Jeanine Sanford, 48 - Plano Wetcats
1/18/2007 - 500 yds., pool, 11:05
DeEtte Sauer, 66 - MOST
500 yds., pool, 11:32.33
Jeff Schechter50, MOST
7/8/2008 - 500 M, pool, 12:12.62
Porter Schiavone, Winchester Masters
3/1/2007 - 500 M, pool, 10:12.88
Richard Scott74, Virginia Masters
11/28/2009 - 800 yds., pool, 25:06
Chad Simmons, MOST
500 M, pool, 8:05:06
Dolly Slater, PBM
1100 yds., pool
Nancy Sohlberg, 8 - Springfield Aquatic Club
3/20/2011 - 500 yds., pool, 14:10
Mary Span, 16 - Millbrook High School
8/8/2007 - 500 M, pool
Deb Stoner - Avilla, Indiana
8/26/2010 - 1650 yds., pool, 39:40
8/26/2010 - 500 yds., pool, 12:10
Doug Strong, 80 - DOC
1/14/2006 - 2500 yds., pool
Sonja Stroot, Tri City Sturgeons
2/11/2007 - 600 M, pool, 13:57
3/4/2007 - 1000 M, pool, 23:33
Theresa Thompson, NASTI
Summer '05 - 500 M, pool
Olivia Truban, 12 - Winchester Country Club
2010 - 500 M, pool, 10:23
Robin Walker, NASTI
12/8/2007, 500 yds, pool
John Weiss, 47 - ISF
12/8/2007, 1750 yds, pool, 30:00
Dan Welklin, 55 - NASTI
Summer '05 - 1000 M, pool
7/6/2008, 4000 M, pool
Summer 2010, 5000 M, pool

It was a beautiful Sunday morning at the Forest Park Aquatic Center and one of the Butternut Founders, Dan Welklin decided to go for a swim. 5000 Meters of Butterfly later, Dan got out of the pool to the applause of his Nasti teammates with a new Butternut record distance!! Said Dan: “What’s for breakfast?!”
Gayle Wichman
3/5/2006 - 500 yds., pool
Chris Young
12 - Power Aquatics
1600 M, pool, 27:30