The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
06.28.2016 | Men's Swimming and Diving
UT rising sophomore John Shebat turns three strong months of long-course training into a U.S. Olympic Trials finals berth.
OMAHA, Neb. – Texas rising sophomore John Shebat didn't know what he was getting into when March rolled around.
He earned honorable mention All-America honors as a freshman in the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events.
He helped Texas kick off its juggernaut of a run through the NCAA Championships when he led off the Longhorns' 400-yard medley relay that rewrote the NCAA record and won the national title.
But despite all of the individual and team success throughout the spring, the freshman from suburban Washington, D.C. kept his expectations in check heading into this week's U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, even in his best event, the 100 backstroke.
"I didn't have too high of expectations," Shebat said. "I just wanted to swim a (personal) best time and not have a DQ."
Well, that worked out.
In three months, Shebat went from 11th in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA Championships to seventh in the 100-meter backstroke through the semifinal round at Trials. He went from the "B" final at the NCAA Championships to the "A" final at Trials in the 100 backstroke.
"It means a lot to be here and swim in the same pool as these (Texas) guys," Shebat said. "We give it all we've got and we train hard. It definitely paid off, and I'm glad to be with them."
Shebat began the day seeded 18th overall in the 100 backstroke. He vaulted to ninth through prelims with a 54.91 that placed him fourth in the 19th and final heat.
Shebat lined up in lane two of the second semifinal heat and took fourth in the heat, good for seventh in semifinals and a spot in Tuesday's final.
"This might take a long time to sit in, but it's great," Shebat said. "Eddie (Reese) and Kris (Kubik) really know what they're doing. The chemistry is there, and I'm glad they spread some of their magic on me.
"It's just feels like a dream I haven't awakened from yet," Shebat added. "The atmosphere here at Texas has been unreal, and the people here that are doing it with me….I just couldn't ask for a better group of guys."
