ORLANDO, Fla. – Texas A&M senior swimmer Jonathan Tybur was honored with the Courageous Student-Athlete Award for his ongoing battle with ulcerative colitis on Thursday at the 2017 Giant Steps Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, sponsored by the National Consortium for Academics and Sport (NCAS).
Tybur, from College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas, was diagnosed with the painful autoimmune disease at age 15, which sidetracked his promising junior swimming career. He enrolled at Texas A&M as a non-scholarship swimmer, but he was able to overcome his condition to become a two-time team captain for the Aggies' swimming and diving team and earn a spot on 2017-18 U.S. National Team. Since his diagnosis, Tybur has worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the disease.
The Giant Steps Awards are given in conjunction with the celebration of National STUDENT-Athlete Day, a program of the NCAS. Giant Steps Awards are given to individuals who have overcome adversity while still succeeding in life, who use sport as a vehicle for positive social change, break down barriers to provide opportunities to those who would normally not have them, and individuals who inspire us to do great things using the positive aspects of sport.
National STUDENT-Athlete Day also honors high school and college student-athletes nationwide for their hard work and dedication in the classroom and on the playing field, while making significant contributions to their schools and communities. Since its inception, over 4.3 million student-athletes have been honored with award certificates for their outstanding achievements.
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Jonathan Tybur
Sr-3L + The Woodlands, Texas (College Park High School)
2016-17 (Junior):
2015-2016 (Sophomore):
2014-2015 (Freshman):
High School/Club:
Personal:
Tybur, from College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas, was diagnosed with the painful autoimmune disease at age 15, which sidetracked his promising junior swimming career. He enrolled at Texas A&M as a non-scholarship swimmer, but he was able to overcome his condition to become a two-time team captain for the Aggies' swimming and diving team and earn a spot on 2017-18 U.S. National Team. Since his diagnosis, Tybur has worked tirelessly to bring awareness to the disease.
The Giant Steps Awards are given in conjunction with the celebration of National STUDENT-Athlete Day, a program of the NCAS. Giant Steps Awards are given to individuals who have overcome adversity while still succeeding in life, who use sport as a vehicle for positive social change, break down barriers to provide opportunities to those who would normally not have them, and individuals who inspire us to do great things using the positive aspects of sport.
National STUDENT-Athlete Day also honors high school and college student-athletes nationwide for their hard work and dedication in the classroom and on the playing field, while making significant contributions to their schools and communities. Since its inception, over 4.3 million student-athletes have been honored with award certificates for their outstanding achievements.
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Jonathan Tybur
Sr-3L + The Woodlands, Texas (College Park High School)
- 2017-18 U.S. National Team member
2016-17 (Junior):
- Honored with the Courageous Student-Athlete Award from the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) for his battle against ulcerative colitis
- Received the Lohman Inspiration Award at the 2017 Building Champions Awards
- Earned honorable mention All-America honors after placing 16th in the 200 breaststroke at the 2017 NCAA Championships
- At the SEC Championships, Tybur placed eighth in the 200 breaststroke, 16th in the 100 breaststroke and22nd in the 400 IM
- At the 2017 U.S. Open, Tybur placed seventh in the 100 breast, second in the 200 breast (top American finisher) and 13th in the 200 IM. Also swam the breaststroke leg on the Aggies' third-place 400 medley relay.
- At the Phillips 66 National Championships, Tybur placed sixth in the 200 breast and 13th in the 100 breast
2015-2016 (Sophomore):
- Holds No. 2 spot in 100 breast (53.54), 200 breast (1:56.33) an 400 IM (3:52.33)
- Also on No. 2 200 medley relay team
- Earned NCAA"B" qualifying and season-best at the American Short Course Championships in both the 100 and 200 breast
- Competed and placed in the top 20 at the SEC Championships in the 100 breast (15th), 200 breast (15th) and 400 IM (19th)
- Second in program history with SEC Championship time in 200 breast (1:56.33)
- Was also an NCAA "B" qualifying cut
- Voted the Aggie Heart Award by his teammates and received the Most Improved Award
- Earned SEC Honor Roll
2014-2015 (Freshman):
- Tallied personal bests in the 100 breast (55.29), 200 breast (1:59.28), and 200 IM (1:50.05) on the biggest stage at the SEC Championships
High School/Club:
- 2014 graduate from College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas
- Coached by Jeremy Whitt at College Park
- Honor roll student and a member of National Honor Society
- 2010-2014 breaststroke school record holder
- Placed 2nd in 2012-2013 and 3rd in 2013-2014 at State
- Recipient of the "Top of the Sword" award (2012-2013) and winner of the Captains Award (2013-2014)
- Placed 5th all 3 years he competed on the UIL 5A state championships team
- Also competed for The Woodlands Swim Team under coaches Tim Bauer, Brad Radford, and Ken Grey
- Junior national team qualifier in (2009-2014)
- Placed 2nd (2009) and 11th (2013) in the Winter Jr. National Championships, Team Captain Award (2013-2014)
Personal:
- Jonathan Tybur is the son of Marcy and Charles Tybur of The Woodlands, Texas
- Born on May 28, 1996 in Austin, Texas
- Has one sibling, Spencer
- Geology major
- First generation Aggie, but hopes to have other relatives follow his footsteps. Jonathan chose Texas A&M because "I felt that by choosing Texas A&M that I could help be a part of something bigger and succeeding not only as an athlete but also as a student. As a new member of the team I hope to contribute to making it an even better team."