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ByFord to swim in Austrian competition

By SHAWNNA ROBINSON
Farmington Press

Thursday, February 21, 2008

A local swimmer has been selected as a delegate for the People to People Sports Ambassador program in Austria.

Farmington sixth-grader Cody ByFord is a member of the F.A.S.T. Swim Team — an acronym for Farmington Area Swim Team. In December he received a letter inviting him to participate in this 10-day event.

This program offers international sports competition and training for athletes in grade 5 through 12 and was founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Student athletes are nominated for this program by coaches.

Donna ByFord is Cody’s mother and admitted to being a bit skeptical about the program when they first received the letter.

“I did some digging and research on the program. We attended a meeting in St. Louis and had a chance to talk with some of the kids who had participated in the past,” she said.

Once they decided to pursue Cody’s nomination, he took part in an interview process that his mother said took more than one hour.

“They separated the students from the parents (for the interview),” wrote Donna in a letter to friends and family. “The interviewers told me that Cody has great people skills, was intelligent, very polite, humorous and they thought he would be a good team leader.”

She later said this is a sentiment that has been echoed by his teachers.

“I had his fourth grade teacher tell me ‘he’s a leader’,” she recalled. “People to People looks for students with good grades, strong personalities and leadership skills.”

During his ten days in Austria, Cody will have the opportunity to be trained by Lenny Krayzelburg, a 2004 Olympic Gold medalist in the 4x100 Medley relay and a Triple Gold medalists at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games. Krayzelburg also holds the Olympic records in both the 100 meter and 200 meter backstroke, and a world record as a member of the 4x100 relay team in Sydney.

“They will train for five hours a day,” said Donna, “preparing to take part in the youth friendship games.”

A total of 105 swimmers will be a part of the event, ranging in age from 11 to 18. Other sports included are baseball, basketball, tennis, bowling, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling.

How Cody became a swimmer was just by coincidence after he brought a flyer home from school for the F.A.S.T. Swim Team.

“He’s been on the team for about three years,” said Donna. She added anyone interested in the F.A.S.T. Swim Team can contact the Farmington Civic Center.

Donna said they are looking at some different fundraising options to help raise the $5,400 for the trip. She sees this as a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Cody — one which will help develop more than just his skills in the water.

“These kids can grow up to become strong citizens,” she says. “These students will have an influence in the future.”