Impact performer: Torie Potters intentionally contribute to all levels of Cascade swimming
By Mike Beas
With two seasons still ahead of her, it’s too early to predict how history will one day look back on Torie Potters’ swim career at Cascade High School.
Cascade swimmer Torie Potters helps her team in and out of the pool. (Photo by Rick Myers)
This much is known: In terms of sheer community impact, the junior is in a lane of her own.
Potters, a sprint freestyle performer capable of taking part in the 100 yard butterfly and various relays for the Cadets, is a familiar sight at her school’s pool. She pours her efforts into everything from helping her team to working with swimmers at the grassroots level.
“Torie puts the ‘we before me’ in everything she does,” said Cascade swim coach Paul Williams. “In this day and age, that’s rare. She is a constant positive for our program. Torie is that person you can put into a bunch of different spots depending on what the team needs. It speaks to her leadership.”
As a sophomore, Potters helped Cascade place sixth in the 200 relay at the Terre Haute South Sectional in a time of 1:47.69. She also competed in the 100 fly, coming in 15th in 1:11.08.
“I started swimming 10 years ago this past summer. It started in swim lessons, and ever since I’ve been swimming,” said Potters. “I love the people and the family atmosphere that comes with it.”
Potter’s influence isn’t limited to times, ribbon colors and the pursuit of any school swim records that may be within reach. The oldest of Bobby and Nichole Potter’s four children is in the top 10 of her class academically and aspires to one day become a pediatrician.
She’s a member of National Honor Society, active in her church, part of a bible study at school and a forward for the Cadets girls soccer program. Potters scored five goals this past season and has 10 for her career.
Cascade’s girls swim season started on Nov. 21 with a three-way meet at home that included Beech Grove and Indianapolis Herron. The annual Hendricks County meet is Dec. 21 at Avon with the Orioles also hosting sectional on Feb. 2.
When not representing the Cadets, Potters makes it a point to be active in virtually every level of swimming in her school district. She swims for Cascade, volunteers as an assistant coach for the middle school and volunteers to teach lessons for the Mill Creek Optimists summer program.
As a sixth grader, she began instructing two local children with Down syndrome and remains close to them.
“I have had the opportunity to coach them for the past five years, and two years ago I had the chance to coach them in middle school,” Potters said. “I absolutely love them so much. They bring so much joy to my life.”
Surely, it’s mutual.
