Amy Korthauer – Class of 2006“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” – Dalai LamaIn the vast expanse of the Naperville Central story, Amy Korthauer made a definitive splash in her time as a Redhawk, her actions and example giving rise to ripples that touched not only her peers but all those who followed in her wake. In all areas, Korthauer lived to plunge into the action, making a splash in both the diving well and the gymnastics arena. As an eager freshman diver, she helped lead her team to a State Championship, earning individual honors by winning the DuPage Valley Conference title, finishing 7th at the Sectional meet, and ultimately placing 15th at the IHSA State meet. She praises teammate Meghan Martin for helping her find her way in the sport, saying, “She was the most persistent and hardest worker I have ever known. She was the best senior we could have asked for on the diving team. And she wasn’t upset a freshman came in and beat her for the ‘top spot.’ She was as excited for me to make state as she was for herself. Her attitude was something I always remembered [as I went on].” Fueled by teammate support and thriving under the guidance of coach Laura Warren, whom she remembers fondly, Korthauer went on to become a 4-time DVC Champion and a leading member of two State Champion squads, earning recognition as a 3-time top 5 Sectional finisher and 3-time top 25 State diver. A reflective Korthauer looks back on her growth that freshman season and jokes, “How many tears did [Warren] have to dry before I figured out reverses? She was always there with an understanding word and a fire under my bottom.” Korthauer’s achievements in the gymnastics gym were as storied as those in the pool. She tumbled her way into NCHS Gymnastics legend as a freshman, helping propel her team to a 4th place State trophy while earning State recognition in the All Around (18th place), and Regional honors in all events: 2nd in All Around; 3rd in Vault; 3rd in Bars; 3rd in Beam; 2nd in Floor. As a sophomore, she set the NCHS record board afire, establishing new Dual/Invite Floor and All Around records, new DVC Bar (9.575) and Floor (9.6) records, a new Regional All Around Record (9.381), and a new State Bar record (9.675), all while leading her team to a 6th place State finish and placing 2nd in Bars at the State meet. These accomplishments earned her accolades as the Naperville Sun’s Most Valuable Gymnast, an honor she would repeat in her junior season. The Red and White award winner as a junior, Korthauer repeated her DVC title in the Floor, as well as her Regional titles in the All Around, Bars, Beam and Floor, celebrating her team’s 5th place State finish and her individual 4th place in Floor. As a senior, Korthauer was an IHSA Gymnast of the Year nominee. She credits her great experiences to the leadership and encouragement of coach Glen Reimers, noting, “He trusted me and he didn’t let me settle for good enough.” Also instrumental to her success were the valuable lessons gained away from the gym from JKB sponsor, Barry Baldwin. According to Korthauer, “He taught me it’s great to have fun while you are working hard and to remember that our peers are always looking up to us so we should be setting an example we can be proud of.”Beyond the thrill of competition, some of Korthauer’s other favorite memories involve bus rides - and toilet paper. She smiled, sharing, “I loved riding the bus to meets at other schools. It didn’t matter what year you were, or what level you competed on, we were one team. It was great to be able to talk to some of the people you might not train with every day. We were all laughing and singing and playing games…and I loved all of the TP-ing of houses. We celebrated everything with toilet paper. It was a fun bonding experience to get everyone together, and it was always great to feel celebrated when you woke up in the morning to a cleanup job before school.” The joy of connection continued in her extensive work with both JKB and Youth Ambassadors, as Korthauer left her mark as a positive, energetic, and creative leader. After graduation, Korthauer continued her diving career at Indiana University, where she earned a degree in Mathematics Education. As a Hoosier, Korthauer took her diving to literal new heights, tackling the diving tower under the watchful eye and demanding expectations of acclaimed IU coach Jeff Huber. In her freshman season, Korthauer placed 13th in the Big 10 in Platform, going on to place in the top 10 at the Big 10 Championships in each subsequent season. As a junior, she achieved a personal best score of 388 at the Hoosier Invite, which included a perfect 10 from all judges for her Back 2 1/2, in addition to setting the 3rd highest IU school record for 6 dives, earning her Big Ten Diver of the Week. She placed 5th in the NCAA championships in her senior year. Beyond her accomplishments in the Hoosier pool, Korthauer carved out a name for herself on the national and international platforms as well, with celebrated appearances at the US Summer Nationals (2007, 2010, 2011), World University Games (2009, 2011), Grand Prix (2010), World Cup (2010), US Winter Nationals (2010), Pan American Games (2011), and Olympic Trials (2008, 2012). All told, she earned 9 top-10 finishes in Platform diving; most notably, she took home a Championship finish in Platform-Synchro at the 2011 US Summer Nationals and two 4th place finishes in the same event at the World University Games & Pan American Games that same year. While her scrapbooks are full of fantastic memories and awards, Korthauer finds her deepest pride in her children, Riley (3) and Hunter (1), and life with her husband, Lance Moade. Her advice to current NCHS student-athletes is this: “Your high school experience is what you make it. Hard work comes before everything else. But if you plan out your days, you can have free time to run around with your friends. Most importantly, be true to yourself. Everyone is strange in their own way, and high school is hard for everyone in their own way. Be confident and positive.” Korthauer’s own confidence and positivity still sends ripples of influence to life at NCHS – her story will resonate for many, many years to come.