University of British Columbia Athletics

Mark Versfeld was a backstroke specialist on four consecutive CIS Championship teams (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001). Among the many highlights of his brilliant CIS career, he was a member of UBC's 400-metre medley relay team (with Jeremy Jaud, Garret Pulle and Jake Steele) that in 1999 defeated the University of Calgary's famed foursome of Chris Renaud, Russell Patrick, Curtis Myden and Etienne Caron, setting a CIS record in the process.

The 1998 Sport BC University Athlete of the Year was a national team member from 1996 to 2001 and an Olympian in 2000 who won a total of 11 medals in international competition. At the 1998 World Championships, he won a silver medal in 100-metre backstroke and bronze in 200-metre backstroke. He won gold in the same two events at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, along with a bronze in 400 m medley relay.

An honours student in the Faculty of Arts, Mark was named the top male Academic All-Canadian in the Canada West conference in 2000-2001.

Career Highlights

• Backstroke specialist on four consecutive CIS Championship teams (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)
• National team member from 1996 to 2001
• Olympic team member in 2000
• 1998 World Championships silver medal winner in 100 m backstroke and bronze medal winner in 200 m backstroke
• 1998 Commonwealth Games double gold medalist in 100 and 200 m backstroke, and bronze medalist in 400 m medley relay
• Top male Academic All Canadian in Canada West conference in 2000-2001