His diving career did not end as he hoped, but North Allegheny graduate Stephen Savchik earned an impressive honor as a senior on the Rochester men’s swimming and diving team.

Savchik, 21, of Franklin Park, was the recipient of the university’s Louis Alexander Alumni Award for 2020.

The award is given to a male member of the senior class who has made an outstanding contribution to the life of the college through his significant achievements in athletic and general student activities, and whose character and leadership qualities have been a wholesome influence on his fellow students.

Created in 1956, it is named after a former Yellowjacket basketball and baseball coach and athletic director.

“It’s an honor to have been selected by the athletic department,” Savchik said. “I couldn’t have done it without the continued support and friendship of my teammates and coaches.”

Savchik was selected for the NCAA Division III championship after placing fourth on the 1-meter board with 463.40 points and 10th on the 3-meter board (429.25) in the Region 4 meet in February at Ithaca.

A four-time regional qualifier, he was the third Yellowjacket men’s diver ever to qualify for the national championship and the first since 1987.

He was disappointed when the meet, which was to be held in March in Greensboro, N.C., was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Just by being selected, he was named All-America in 1-meter and 3-meter by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.

“I was mostly looking forward to the NCAA meet just for the experience of going,” said Savchik, the 2016 WPIAL Class AAA boys 1-meter bronze medalist. “I’m grateful I was able to accomplish all of my athletic goals by breaking all of the (school) diving records.”

Savchik holds school records for six-dive meets and 11-dive meets on both boards. On 3-meter, he broke a record this season that had stood since 1986.

He was named a Rochester Garnish Scholar, an award for the top 10 senior athletes, in September.

A data science major, he plans to work in Rochester as a data analyst and eventually pursue a master’s degree in computational linguistics.

“Stephen has had an amazing career,” Yellowjacket diving coach Greg Brandes said. “He is undoubtedly one of the finest athletes (who) I have had the opportunity to coach.

“(He) will be greatly missed.”

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