Wheaton College Athletics

Paul Gyorfi was a multiple-time All-American for the Wheaton swimming program. He finished second at the 2003 NCAA Division III Championships in the 100-yard butterfly in 49.09-seconds and placed second in the 100-yard freestyle in 44.93-seconds. The 2001 and 2003 CCIW Most Valuable Swimmer, Gyorfi won seven individual CCIW Championships in his three-year career. In addition to the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle varsity and CCIW Open records he set at the NCAA Championships, Paul also held individual Wheaton and CCIW records in the 50-yard freestyle (21.05) and 200-yard freestyle (1:40.68), and his 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle varsity records still stand today.  An exceptional relay swimmer, he helped the 200-yard free relay to a second place finish and the 400-yard free relay to a third place finish at the 2003 NCAA Championships.
 
Paul reflects, "Swimming at Wheaton helped teach me to focus on what truly matters in life.  During my first two years swimming, success was determined by how well I was doing personally, and my self-worth was largely based on my own accomplishments (or lack of them). Through Jon Lederhouse, as well as the community on the swim team, I was encouraged to consider how sports like swimming could be done in such a way that they participated in the Kingdom of God. This however required me to not be so wrapped up in myself, which was challenging. As time went on, my plans and success slowly became secondary to seeking after God's kingdom vision for my life (as a swimmer, a student, and in a future beyond Wheaton). As my focus changed, I found meaning and purpose in athletics that extended far beyond myself and what I accomplished in the pool. I don't know that this influenced my athletic ability, but it radically altered how I sought to live my life. I'm still learning this lesson, which was started in swimming at Wheaton. For this I am so very thankful."