Saint Louis Billikens Athletics

As a senior, Byars became the first Billiken in program history to capture a conference title for the men's team when he finished first in the 100 free at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Conference Championships. The Marion, Ill., native finished his career as the school-record holder in the 100 (45.27) and 200 (1:41.44) free. Byars was a three-time team MVP and earned A-10 Performer of the Week accolades on six occasions.

Byars bettered his performance at the conference championships throughout his career. He touched 10th in the 50 free as a sophomore and improved to sixth as a junior and third in 2008 as a senior. Prior to capturing the conference title in the 100 free in 2008, Byars finished third in 2007 and fifth in 2006.

In addition to achieving success in the pool, Byars excelled in the classroom, earning postgraduate scholarships from the NCAA and the A-10 in 2008. Following a pair of A-10 Academic All-Conference selections, Byars was named the 2008 Men's Swimming and Diving Student-Athlete of the Year. The 2008 SLU Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year also picked up ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District first-team honors as a senior.

Byars graduated from SLU with a bachelor's degree in human resource management in 2008. He is pursuing a degree in health-care law at SLU's School of Law.