Byron Shefchik

Positions: Individual Medley, Breaststroke Height: 6-2 Weight: 192 Roster Years: 1992-1994 | 1996-1998 Hometown: American Fork, UT Mission: Costa Rica Last School: Houghton (MI) High School

2008 Hall of Fame Inductee

Byron Shefchik always thought his plans were to be an All-American swimmer at BYU but little did he know that All-America awards would be only the beginning.

When it became apparent that young Shefchik had too much energy for his own good, his parents enrolled him in swimming classes. He did well, but decided to stop while in junior high until his mother wouldn't sign his football permission slip. Then it was back to swimming, where he did better than he could've imagined.

While in high school he set every school record except the 50 freestyle, which was the only event he didn't swim. He was also named the Upper Peninsula Swimmer of the Year twice. Although he did better than anyone in his small high school, he hadn't captured enough national attention to warrant a scholarship from BYU. Undeterred, he walked on, determined to reach his goal of being an All-American.

In his first college swim meet, as a 17-year-old freshman, Shefchik swam the 200 individual medley and was amazed at how fast everyone swam. He attacked his second event, the breaststroke, with even more energy, and he took first place over the defending Western Athletic Conference champion.

Shefchik served a mission in Costa Rica and, upon his return, didn't take long to get back into shape. He had been home six months when he got his lifetime best times and continued on to qualify for multiple NCAA Championships. He not only achieved his dream of becoming an All-American but did so five times as well as becoming a three-time Academic All-American. He was a two-time Western Athletic Conference Champion in the 100 and 200 breaststroke, Richards Building pool record holder in the 200 breaststroke and 400 medley relay and also finished fourth at NCAA Championships in the 200 breaststroke.

As a BYU swimmer, Shefchik had the opportunity to travel to the World University Games. While there, he cut his foot on some coral and got a nasty infection, then slipped on some stairs and sprained his foot. Not willing to travel across the world and drop out of competition, Shefchik competed with his injury and still came in third, bringing home the bronze medal.

His senior year he was awarded the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and early in the season made the hard cuts for the NCAA in the 200 breaststroke. He was ranked first nationally during the remainder of the season.

Shefchik married his wife, Amber, and changed his priorities. He got his MBA in 2000, the same year he had the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Trials, and started a family while lessening the intensity of his training. He achieved his dream of being an All-American and now attributes much of his success in life to his experience at BYU.

Personal

• Served an LDS church mission to Costa Rica
• B.S. in pre-physical therapy from BYU, 1997
• Earned his MBA in 2000
• Married to Amber

Career Highlights

• Placed third in the 200 breast and 11^th in the 400 IM at the WAC Championship 1992
• Earned Academic All-WAC status as a freshman with a 3.98 GPA 1992
• Academic All-WAC 1996
• Collegiate Swim Coaches Academic All-America 1996
• CoSIDA District VII Academic All-America 1996
• Won the WAC title in the 100 and 200 breast 1996
• Second-team All-American in 200 breast (ninth) and 100 breast (10^th) 1996
• Placed first in both the 100 and 200 breast at the WAC Championships 1997
• Named both First and Second Team All-American 1997

Before BYU

• Held every school swimming record, except for the 500 free, at Houghton High School
• Holds Wisconsin State YMCA record in 200 breast
• Holds Michigan Upper Peninsula state records in 100 free, 100 back and 200 IM
• Competed in YMCA Nationals and USS Junior Nationals
• Was upper-peninsula male Swimmer of the Year in Michigan twice
• Also lettered in track and cross country at Houghton High School

After BYU

• Competed in the 2000 Olympic trials

Post BYU Honors and Societies

• Inducted into the BYU hall of fame in 2008