SEATTLE, Wash. - Bryant Bevers chewed up the competition in 2006-07. He was part of an eighth place finish in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:07.20 at the 2007 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships. Bevers was also part of a sixth place 800 freestyle relay team with a time of 6:52.83.
"I was really exhausted after my swims. There is always the fear at the end of the season that you're too torn up and out of shape to swim well, but I felt I got the job done at Buffalo and swam well." said Bevers.
Bevers, a native of Federal Way, Wash., was part of the school record setting team in the 200 medley relay that finished first with a time of 1:32.65 at the Pacific Collegiate Swimming Conference Championships. Bevers was part of the third place 800 relay with a time of 6:50.43. Bevers was also part of the second place 400 freestyle relay that qualified for the national meet with a time of 3:05.04.
"Bryant put in hard work in both the classroom and the pool and has earned considerable success as a result. It is always gratifying to see talent fostered with hard work," said coach Craig Mallery.
"My favorite swim by far all year was our men's 400 freestyle relay at conference. It had all the makings of a terrible swim: we were tired (it was my 14th and final swim of the meet), eating fast food, and none of us warmed up for the race. It's amazing however what can happen when your entire team is behind the blocks cheering for your relay; we ended up getting second, breaking a school record, and qualifying that relay for nationals," said Bevers.
Bevers won the 50 free with a time of 22.16 seconds against Whitworth. He also led off the victorious 200 free relay which finished in 1:28 48 versus Whitworth. Bevers was victorious in the 100 meter freestyle (55.02) versus University of Puget Sound. He was part of the victorious 400 medley relay team, defeating Linfield and Simon Frasier with a time of 3:38.27.
"He is one of the most reliable athletes I have ever worked with. He has high individual goals yet is very team focused. He makes good choices, fully supports the team and is an exemplarily leader in sportsmanship and citizenship," said Mallery.
"It is important we create a healthy, motivating, productive environment so all athletes can develop. We continue to draw stronger and stronger local interest as the program has improved," said Mallery.
"I think my goal for next year will be focusing on the power aspect of my stroke. This will involve a lot of short explosive type swims and a more rigorous lifting program," said Bevers.
Bevers is making the most of his education. "I really enjoy my business classes, especially the fact that they all seem applicable to real life situations. It is much easier to focus on learning when you feel that in a few years you will be using many of the things you use now. My current goal right now is to get my CPA and then eventually in the future I would love to work at an aeronautical company such as Boeing or Lockheed Martin."