We’re halfway there! Tonight I present Sybil Smith, the first black female swimmer to score in an NCAA final.

Sybil Smith swam for Boston University in 1988 when she placed 6th in backstroke in the NCAA finals. From the Boston University hall of fame:

‘She placed sixth in the 100-yard backstroke with a school-record time of 56:02. By finishing among the top eight in the event, Stephens (Smith’s married name) was recognized as a First Team Division I All-American. She was the first black woman in the nation to accomplish that feat, and she remains Boston University’s only All-American in women’s swimming.’

Sybil is recognized as the finest swimmer in Boston University history. She was the first Junior recipient of the University’s Mildred Barnes award, for being an outstanding female athlete. She won it again during her senior year, the first person to win the award twice.

Smith qualified for the Olympic trials in 3 events, later becoming assistant swim coach at Harvard. She is married to John Stephens, of the NFL Green Bay Packers.

I am surprised this is the first I’ve written about this great swimmer. I have seen that picture before, and I’ve googled her name before. Now we know some of her story. May many more follow.