Amy Sziber (left) and her physical therapist-coach, Monica Aho, are all smiles after Sziber threw a record shot put (6.35 meters) at the Hartford Nationals in July in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Photo submitted)

HOUGHTON — With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, Houghton is not without its own Olympic buzz. While this local connection has a summer feel, and is more than a few years away, it has a name and a face that athletic supporters should take notice of.

In December, Houghton High School junior Amy Sziber was named a top-50 high school parathlete by USA Track and Field (based in Indianapolis, Indiana). The 17-year old is the national record holder for shot put for her age and disability classification (F53).

She was born with the birth defect of Spina Bifida.

In July, Sziber and her coach and physical therapist Monica Aho traveled to the Hartford Nationals conducted by Move United in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Hartford Nationals is the largest longest-running national sports championship for athletes with a physical disability, visual impairment, or intellectual disability. 
The organization is an affiliate of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities to become physically and emotionally stronger through participation in 70 adaptive sports.

Her record setting throw at nationals was 6.35 meters (20.83 feet) up from 6.20m (20.34 ft.) at Great Lakes games earlier in the summer.

“Amy is a inspiration,” said Aho.

She has been working with Sziber since she was around three. She also serves as Sziber’s field coach with a lot of trepidation.

“I feel bad that we can not get her a better coach-especially now,” Aho said. “I am not a track and field coach. I help as I can, but she deserves better.”

Aho added that the need for better coaching was evident at nationals as Sziber faced off against some of the top-shot putters in her age group.

“There was a girl from Texas with big arms and a cadre of help around them,” Aho explained. “And then there were little Amy and I. It had all of the elements of David and Goliath.”

Sziber held the record going into nationals. However, it was shortly broken by one of the girls who threw before her.

“When her record was broken, I was watching her (Amy’s) reaction,” Aho recalled. “I could see Amy was determined to regain it, and she did. She has such determination, grit and natural talent. When she sets her mind to something, consider it done.”

Sziber said she was determined to regain the record.

“I was pumped,” she said. “I was like I just got this and don’t want to lose this record.”

She added that she was excited with the recent national honor.

With the honor, Sziber is now on the radar for the USA Paralympic team.

She explained that most of the members of the Paralympic team won this award while they were in high school. In short, she is in good company.

While the Summer Olympics are slated next for Los Angeles in 2028, she is thinking college first. The honor is a definite plus to earn a scholarship to a college or university with a strong adaptive-athletic program, and fortunately there is one not too far away.

“University of Michigan is on my short list,” she said. “It is one of the best in what I need.”