ROLLING OUT RED, WHITE, BLUE : SIMI CELEBRATES AREA OLYMPIANS WITH HOMETOWN SPIRIT-FILLED RALLY.

Byline: Christopher Noxon Daily News Staff Writer

Simi Valley officially welcomed its Olympians home Monday evening with proclamations and praise in a ceremony attended by city officials, proud neighbors and newfound fans.

The three athletes who attended stayed long after the official congratulating was complete, signing names on programs, pictures and even a Wheaties box. The City Hall courtyard ceremony was one of their last moments of Olympic glory before settling again into their pre-Games lives, the athletes said.

``Everything has been getting back to normal,'' said Jeff Weaver, the Simi Valley pitcher who picked up a bronze medal with the U.S. Olympic baseball team two weeks ago. ``Then something like this comes up and you get that rush again, remembering what it was like to be there.''

Just participating in the Atlanta Games was a triumph, said field hockey player Nick Butcher. While his team went 0-7, scoring only four goals in the tournament, Butcher said the Games were an experience he will never forget.

That doesn't mean Butcher wouldn't rather be weighed down by a little Olympic metal, he said. The double win of archer Justin Huish served as motivation.

``It gives you a real urge to win,'' said Butcher, who at 21 was the youngest member of the field hockey squad. ``You see people walking around with that medal and you just want one. You see why people go back a second and third and fourth time.''

While accolades went to all three athletes on hand - field hockey player Tom Vano was absent - Huish got the biggest cheers and drew the longest line for autographs.

After winning gold in both individual and team archery events, Huish has grown accustomed to the attention. Since returning home last week, the archer has been on a whirlwind media tour with stops at The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the MTV Beach House.

Life in the hilltop subdivision above east Simi Valley has been forever changed, Gordon said.

``It's never going to be quite the same,'' said Eileen Gordon, a neighbor who brought her 10-year-old daughter, Valerie, to the ceremony decked out in red, white and blue. ``Knowing somebody in the Olympics has brought our community together.''

While Huish has been given the lion's share of attention, all the local athletes who competed deserve praise, said Simi Valley Mayor Greg Stratton.

``This is only a token, but it shows recognition that people in their hometown are proud of what they did,'' Stratton said. ``It takes a long time and a lot of effort to go to the Games. It reflects well on Simi Valley that this is where they come from.''

The athletes marched into the courtyard accompanied by a song from the combined bands from Simi Valley and Royal high schools. The athletes were led to the stage by Boy Scouts carrying flags and met by their parents, who acknowledged cheers from the crowd.

``I didn't expect such a large turnout,'' said Ingrid Butcher, Nick's mother. ``Seeing everyone here is very exciting. This whole experience has been an all-time high for me.''

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3 Photos

Photo: (1--color in SIMI only) Valerie Gordon, 10, sport s a patriotic derby while her mom, Eileen, claps at the Olympians' ceremony.

(2--color in SIMI only) Gold medal archer Justin Huish waves Tuesday to the crowd.

(3--color) Left, Olympic field hockey player Nick Butcher and baseball player Jeff Weaver sign autographs at Simi Valley's City Hall.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News