Piper freshman, Aaliyah Butler, ran into the spotlight this weekend at the Louie Bing Memorial Classic taking two individual wins to start her first high school outdoor season.
2019 Louie Bing Varsity Girls 400m Finals
Butler took the stacked south Florida field by storm, winning the 400m in a time of 53.44 and the 200m in 24.57, as well as leading the Piper 4x400m to a strong second place finish in 3:49.74.
"I didn't have a good season last year. This feels amazing. I feel like I can do more," Butler said in a post-race interview.
From Middle School Champion to High School Standout
Prior to Louie Bing, Butler had a 400m middle school PR of 55.98 and this weekend she just missed her 24.28 200m PR.
The Piper freshman, was the 2016 FLYRA Middle School 400m State champion in a time of 56.14 and spent most of her 2018 season focusing and racing the 200m more often.
After a season of rebuilding last year, she is looking forward to bringing her personal records down and showing the state what she has to offer.
Aaliyah Butler after her 400m Middle School State Championship win in 2016
Talent Runs In the Family
Remember the 4A 400m boys state champion last year? He was a senior for Piper HS and clocked a 46.55 to win the title against Jamal Walton.
His name was DaeQwan Butler -- Aaliyah's brother.
DaeQwan Butler is now one of Florida State University's fastest sprinters with new indoor college PR's of 21.71 in the 200m and 47.95 in the 400m.
Watch For Piper Boys and Girls This Season
Piper HS boys won the Louie Bing team title with a total of 57.50 points and the girls took seventh in 36 points -- 23 of those points Bulter brought to the table. With 18 girls and 17 boys on their rosters, this team is about talent through and through and how they can achieve maximum results with their athletes.
With a team like this one, comes great, achievable goals.
"I want to hit a 22 in the 200m this season," Butler said after her 53.44 400m win this weekend.
This Piper freshman went from under the radar to running in the spotlight as she took two high school wins at one of the biggest early season meets in South Florida and she is not finished yet as she goes after these great goals this 2019 season.
More Coverage:
- Aaliyah Butler's Profile
- Piper HS Profile
- Louie Bing Invitational Meet Page
